Bridgewater scores highly in annual NHS Staff Survey

Despite it being one of the most challenging years ever for the NHS due to the coronavirus pandemic, Bridgewater Community Healthcare has today (Thursday 11 March 2021) recorded its best ever response rate and results in the 2020 NHS Staff Survey.

The annual national temperature check is one of the largest workforce surveys in the world. It asks NHS staff in England about their experiences of working for their employer.

Building on the positive results of the previous year, it’s been another successful improvement journey for Bridgewater Community Healthcare.

769 Bridgewater staff (50%) completed the survey this year, making it the best ever response rate.

Ten ‘themes’ make up the annual survey. Each theme is given a score out of 10. Compared to the 2019 survey, 8 themes have improved further, 4 of which significantly.

Speaking about the results, Bridgewater Chief Executive, Colin Scales said:

“No one could have foreseen what the Covid-19 pandemic would bring.

“It goes to show, the biggest asset to the NHS is its incredible workforce. This has been a hugely tiring period for staff, with many teams thrown unexpectedly into new ways of working.

“I would like to pay tribute to my Bridgewater colleagues for really going the extra mile over the past 12 months. The improvement we have seen from the 2020 NHS Staff Survey is testament to their continued commitment and dedication.”

Paula Woods, Director of People and Organisational Development at Bridgewater added:

“How we engage with our colleagues is always really important, but this has been a year like no other.

“I’m really pleased that our results have improved in 2020 compared to the previous year and that our staff continue to feel supported in the job they do, enabling them to deliver the best possible care.

“For the areas in which we have dipped slightly, we will of course work on a plan to address this as it remains our aim to continuously develop a working environment where staff can grow, thrive and succeed.”

All NHS trusts across the country are required to take part in the annual NHS Staff Survey. The confidential questionnaire asks staff for their views on issues such as equality and diversity, incidents, health and wellbeing, job satisfaction and violence. Its findings are used to further improve working conditions for staff and ultimately improve patient care.

The full NHS Staff Survey breakdown of all NHS organisations can be found on the national website at www.nhsstaffsurveyresults.com.