The 2012 NHS staff survey results released on 28 February 2013 include a number of staff engagement indicators as well as an overall staff engagement score. We have summarised the key findings on this page.
There are 28 key findings within the survey plus an overall staff engagement score. 11 key findings improved relative to 2011, nine showed slight deterioration, one was the same and seven cannot be compared directly due to changes in the questions. The overall staff engagement score has improved.
In the context of current challenges there are positive improvements in key areas such as staff engagement and confidence in the quality of care staff are able provide.
There has also been further progress on the issue of appraisal and training although there is still scope for improvement. Staff believe that their organisation is taking action on health and wellbeing but there is an unacceptable level of violence from patients and the public. Staff have confidence in reporting procedures and in their ability to raise concerns. Staff would recommend their organisations as places to be treated and as a place to work.
Key trends
Quality of care
The staff survey shows improved levels of staff confidence in the quality of care. Sixty-three percent of NHS staff said that if a friend or relative needed treatment they would be happy with the standard of care provided by their organisation.
Staff were also asked whether or not they thought care of patients and service users was their organisation’s top priority.62 percent, up from 57 per cent in 2011, said that care of patients and service users was their organisation’s top priority. There is though some staff concern over whether there are sufficient staff to deliver proper levels of care.
Job satisfaction
Results for job satisfaction are slightly up from last year with just over three-quarters of staff (78 per cent) satisfied with the support they receive from colleagues and 74 percent satisfied with the amount of responsibility they are given (up from 71 per cent in 2011).
Staff appraisals
Overall, 83 percent of staff had an appraisal (up from 80 per cent in 2011 and 77 per cent in 2010). Of those who had had an appraisal, 53 per cent said it helped them improve how they do their job, and three quarters felt the appraisal helped them to agree clear objectives for their work. 60 percent, up from 57 per cent in 2011, said it left them feeling that their work is valued by their organisation.
Line management and supervisor support
Overall, 68 percent of staff reported that their manager helps them with difficult tasks and 71 per cent felt supported in a personal crisis. 55 percent feel that their manager gives them clear feedback about their work and 65 per cent said they are satisfied with the support they get from their immediate manager (62 per cent in 2011).
Health and wellbeing
43 per cent of staff reported that their organisation takes positive action on health and wellbeing.
38 percent of NHS staff overall reported during the last 12 months they have felt unwell as a result of work related stress.
15 per cent of NHS staff overall reported experiencing physical violence from patients, patients' relatives or other members of the public in the previous 12 months. There have been some changes to wording of questions so the figure are not comparable with those from previous years, though they are likely to be more accurate.
Staff engagement
An increase in the proportion of staff saying they are able to make suggestions on how they could improve the work of their team or department is seen (74 per cent, compared with 69 per cent in 2011) and 69 per cent felt that they have frequent opportunities to show initiative in their role (compared with 61 per cent, in 2011). The overall score for levels of staff engagement have increased from 3.63 to 3.67 and there has been an improvement in willingness of staff to recommend their organisation as a place to work.
Incident reporting
There has been a fall in the percentage of staff reporting an incident from 96 per cent in 2011 to 90 per cent in 2012. The percentage of errors reported has remained stable at 30 per cent and confidence in reporting procedures has improved.
Raising concerns
The majority of NHS staff would know how to report any concerns they have about fraud, malpractice or wrongdoing (90 per cent), 72 per cent would feel safe raising these concerns and just over half (55 per cent) would feel confident that their organisation would address them.
Find out more
A detailed breakdown of scores for all trusts can be found on the
NHS staff survey website.
A media statement with Dean Royles's response to the results is available in our media centre web pages.
