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Care not top priority - NHS staff | Care not top priority - NHS staff |
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Less than half of NHS staff believe patient care is the top priority for trusts, an annual staff survey shows. | Less than half of NHS staff believe patient care is the top priority for trusts, an annual staff survey shows. |
The rest either did not believe their NHS trust saw it as a priority or neither agreed nor disagreed, the poll of 156,000 staff in England showed. | The rest either did not believe their NHS trust saw it as a priority or neither agreed nor disagreed, the poll of 156,000 staff in England showed. |
The Healthcare Commission report also revealed wide variations in infection control standards and no reductions in the number of staff being attacked. | The Healthcare Commission report also revealed wide variations in infection control standards and no reductions in the number of staff being attacked. |
Unions said some results were worrying, but noted staff seemed to be happy. | Unions said some results were worrying, but noted staff seemed to be happy. |
Three quarters said they were satisfied with their jobs, although only one in four said they felt valued by bosses. | Three quarters said they were satisfied with their jobs, although only one in four said they felt valued by bosses. |
There are challenges to making the NHS a better place to work Anna Walker, Healthcare Commission | There are challenges to making the NHS a better place to work Anna Walker, Healthcare Commission |
On patient care being a priority, 46% said it was, 25% said it was not and 29% neither agreed nor disagreed. | On patient care being a priority, 46% said it was, 25% said it was not and 29% neither agreed nor disagreed. |
Meanwhile, levels of abuse and violence have remained fairly constant with the previous two surveys. | Meanwhile, levels of abuse and violence have remained fairly constant with the previous two surveys. |
One in four workers said they had been harassed, bullied or abused by patients or their relatives, while 13% said they had suffered physical violence, rising to 29% for those who worked in ambulances. | One in four workers said they had been harassed, bullied or abused by patients or their relatives, while 13% said they had suffered physical violence, rising to 29% for those who worked in ambulances. |
Ambulance staff were also critical about the condition of the vehicles with half saying they were in a poor state of repair. | Ambulance staff were also critical about the condition of the vehicles with half saying they were in a poor state of repair. |
On measures being taken to tackle hospital bugs such as MRSA and Clostridium difficile, 82% said their trust was doing enough to promote good hygiene - up from 70% in 2005. | On measures being taken to tackle hospital bugs such as MRSA and Clostridium difficile, 82% said their trust was doing enough to promote good hygiene - up from 70% in 2005. |
However, only 61% said hand-washing equipment was always available to them and there were significant variations across trusts. | However, only 61% said hand-washing equipment was always available to them and there were significant variations across trusts. |
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Errors | Errors |
On the positive side, there was a decrease in the number of staffing witnessing potentially harmful errors, from one in four last year to one in five in 2007. | On the positive side, there was a decrease in the number of staffing witnessing potentially harmful errors, from one in four last year to one in five in 2007. |
Healthcare Commission chief executive Anna Walker said there was much positive news in the survey. | Healthcare Commission chief executive Anna Walker said there was much positive news in the survey. |
But she warned: "There are challenges to making the NHS a better place to work." | But she warned: "There are challenges to making the NHS a better place to work." |
Karen Jennings, head of health at Unison, said the results about care being a priority were worrying. | Karen Jennings, head of health at Unison, said the results about care being a priority were worrying. |
"Trusts must refocus attention on their patients and away from competition and privatisation," she said. | "Trusts must refocus attention on their patients and away from competition and privatisation," she said. |
And she added there were still "disturbing levels of violence". | And she added there were still "disturbing levels of violence". |
Dr Peter Carter, of the Royal College of Nursing, added some aspects of the report were pleasing, but warned tough action was needed to reduce the number of attacks on staff. | Dr Peter Carter, of the Royal College of Nursing, added some aspects of the report were pleasing, but warned tough action was needed to reduce the number of attacks on staff. |
But health minister Ann Keen said the NHS was improving in many areas. | But health minister Ann Keen said the NHS was improving in many areas. |
"I know from past experience as a nurse that working in the NHS is demanding but immensely rewarding and it is encouraging that in its 60th year, the majority of staff continue to report high job satisfaction." | "I know from past experience as a nurse that working in the NHS is demanding but immensely rewarding and it is encouraging that in its 60th year, the majority of staff continue to report high job satisfaction." |
Meanwhile, a government poll of 77,000 patients in England showed that cleanliness and low infection rates were more important when choosing a hospital than location - the traditional main consideration. | Meanwhile, a government poll of 77,000 patients in England showed that cleanliness and low infection rates were more important when choosing a hospital than location - the traditional main consideration. |
Three quarters mentioned cleanliness and infection rates as a factor as opposed to 53% who said location and transport. | Three quarters mentioned cleanliness and infection rates as a factor as opposed to 53% who said location and transport. |