Health Foundation responds to NHS Staff Survey

The Health Foundation today responded to the publication of the 2016 NHS Staff Survey results.

Ruth Thorlby, Assistant Director of Policy at the Health Foundation, said:

‘The NHS has so far managed to just about cope with increasing demands and shrinking resources, thanks in large part to the commitment of its workforce.

‘This year’s staff survey results show welcome signs of improvement, reflecting the hard work that has gone into listening to staff, and recognising the importance of supporting staff to care for patients.

‘But continued improvement cannot be taken for granted, given the pressures ahead. These results show that over a third of NHS staff have been unwell in the last 12 months because of work-related stress, and almost half don’t think there are enough staff where they work to do their job properly.

‘Last week’s CQC report into the state of care in acute hospitals described those working on the frontline as the heroes of the NHS. But the NHS should not rely on permanent heroism: people working in the NHS have coped with the pressures placed upon them but this should not be at the cost of their own wellbeing.

‘Health and social care must be adequately funded to meet the needs of the public. NHS staff and patients alike will be hoping to see the government recognise this by addressing the social care funding gap in tomorrow’s Budget.’

Media contact

Jack Cutforth
jack.cutforth@health.org.uk
0207 664 4623