NHS staff survey shows workforce under pressure Health Foundation response to NHS Staff Survey

Hugh Alderwick, Assistant Director of Strategy and Policy at the Health Foundation, said:

‘Today’s data highlights the immense pressure facing people working in the NHS in England, with numbers of staff reporting work related stress having risen in the past year.

‘This isn’t surprising, given there are over 100,000 vacancies across the NHS, while demand for care continues to increase and to become more complex with growing numbers of people with multiple conditions.

‘The NHS must support staff to do their best for patients, so it’s concerning that fewer people responding to the survey report positive action on health and wellbeing, and that over half say they are considering leaving their current post.

‘Despite this, there have been improvements in some areas, with more people saying they would recommend their organisation as a place to work and over half saying they were happy with opportunities for flexible working.

‘A coherent, national strategy is badly needed to support and sustain the NHS workforce over the long term, including more concrete action to improve health and well being, as well as filling vacancies. Without a credible workforce plan to improve working conditions, the NHS will struggle to deliver on the commitments of its Long Term Plan.’

Media contact

Susannah Mcintyre
Susannah.mcintyre@health.org.uk