Staffing levels in the NHS are too low according to 65% of healthcare professionals, so much so that only 53% feel able to do their job to a satisfactory standard, a survey has found.
In a twist on government’s Friends and Family test of patients’ experience of hospital, only 53% of the 1,040 nurses, practice managers and GPs polled said that they would recommend their organisation as a place to work.
Amid fears that current reforms and efficiency savings are over-stretching resources, this survey, conducted by Campden Health in association with Career Pathways recruitment fair which will be taking place at the NEC in Birmingham on the 27th June 2013, paints a stark picture of working conditions in the NHS with 48% of primary health professionals polled experiencing a lack of support from employers.
Training was also highlighted as deficient with 46% of those polled feeling that not enough training had been provided. The survey also hinted at low morale with a significant majority of 61% of respondents expressing that they had not received sufficient recognition for their work.
However, despite the evident tensions, a significant degree of job satisfaction was detected with 58% of respondents expressing they looked forward to going to work and 65% saying they enjoyed being at work. A sizeable majority of 62% currently had no plans to change employers.
“On the whole, the polls reflect prevalent issues of understaffing that have culminated in low staff to patient ratios across the board and the present A&E crisis,” said Campden’s editor in chief Victoria Vaughan.
“Furthermore, although governmental plans for nursing careers to commence with a year’s training as a healthcare assistant have not generally been well received, the figures do indeed highlight the urgent need for initiatives aimed at tackling training and development across NHS staff.”
Offering delegates seminars and practical guides on working in the new and evolving NHS structures, Career Pathways is a free recruitment fair designed specifically for healthcare professionals working across primary and secondary care. There is also a CV clinic available at the event for professionals or graduates looking to work in healthcare. The Careers Pathway recruitment fair will launch in Birmingham at the NEC on the 27th June 2013.
To view the survey please click here
