STAFF at Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (HHFT) feel their role makes a difference to patients, survey results show.

The survey, which is run annually across the country, invites members of staff to answer questions about what it is like to work in the NHS and at their trust. As well as overall engagement, the survey measures the experiences of staff based on the seven themes in the NHS People Promise.

Overall, the positivity of HHFT staff is highest in ‘we are compassionate and inclusive’, and almost three-quarters of staff who responded to the survey thought that the care of patients and service users is a top priority for the organisation.

HHFT, which runs hospitals in Andover, Basingstoke and Winchester, scored above average when asked if there are frequent opportunities to show initiative in their role, with 73 per cent also saying they are able to make suggestions to improve the work of their team or department.

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As part of the survey, NHS trusts are given individual results and are also benchmarked against others nationally. Compared to other acute trusts, Hampshire Hospitals scored at or above the national average in all of the People Promise themes, including staff engagement and morale. The trust saw a statistically significant improvement in the People Promise themes of ‘we are always learning’ and ‘we are a team’.   

Alex Whitfield, chief executive at Hampshire Hospitals, said: “This year our staff have again risen to an exceptional challenge, with high levels of pressure across our services.

“Whilst the results of this latest staff survey reflect how tough the last 12 months have been, there are real positives in the feedback we’ve received, and we are hugely grateful to all our colleagues who have taken the time to tell us about their experiences of working at Hampshire Hospitals.

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“In particular, I am thrilled that our work on compassion and inclusivity continues to be felt across our hospitals and it is also really encouraging that so many of our staff recognise the huge difference they are making to our patients each and every day.

“We have responded to further waves of Covid-19 and faced a range of other pressures which has been immensely difficult for our staff and patients, and we know that we must continue to do more to ensure HHFT is an outstanding place to work for everyone. Our people are at the heart of everything we do and it’s vital that we do everything we can to make them feel supported and valued.”