Staff working at Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals (WHH) have indicated their experience of employment at the Trust is consistently getting better, according to responses in the latest national NHS Staff Survey.

The results of the survey published today (7 March), reveal that the Trust’s scores for each of the survey themes have improved on the previous year and survey participation increased.

The Trust’s scores were also consistently better than the average for the 122 hospital and hospital and community trusts across the NHS, against which the Trust is benchmarked.

Notable improvements were seen in the number of staff recommending the Trust as a place to work, which saw a positive shift of 7% compared with last year and staff reporting managers taking effective action to help tackle problems also increased by 7.2%. 

The percentage of staff responding that the care of patients is the Trust’s top priority also increased on the previous year to 76.53%.

The NHS Staff Survey is conducted in all NHS organisations between September and November each year. At WHH, 2056 staff completed the survey in 2023, which represents 45% of the total workforce, up from just under 35% (or 1520 members of staff) in 2022.The response rate was the highest seen at the Trust since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Simon Constable, Chief Executive of WHH, said: “The consistent improvements across our NHS Staff Survey results suggest many staff have seen positive change in their working lives over the past year. 

“I am conscious, however, that the results come at a time of sustained pressure on many areas of the NHS and there is always more we could be doing to support staff and to ensure we deliver the best possible patient care.   

“Over the coming months we will continue with our programme of staff engagement activity to understand more about further changes we can make to improve the experience of all those working at the Trust and will keep staff updated on developments.

“I would like to express my personal thanks to each member of staff who took the time to share their experience of working at WHH and promise that we will keep listening to ensure WHH is a great place to receive healthcare, work and learn.”

The NHS staff survey is one of the largest and longest running workforce surveys in the world and annually surveys staff on themes which relate to the elements of the NHS People Promise along with questions which focus on staff morale and how engaged they feel in their work and with the wider Trust.  Its purpose is to inform local improvements in staff experience and wellbeing within Trusts and the results can be analysed to help provide support to particular service areas and staff groups.