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Satisfaction with NHS staff pay falls sharply

The number of staff satisfied with their level of pay in the NHS has fallen sharply in the last 12 months, according to new figures. 

The annual NHS Staff Survey, now in its 12th year, revealed that only 33% of staff are satisfied with their pay, a notable drop from the 38% recorded in 2013. 

Eighty-four percent of staff said that they know what their work responsibilities are and 73% said they have clear, planned goals and objectives for their job (74% in 2013). However, under a third of staff (29%) feel that there are enough staff to enable them to do their jobs properly. This is down from 30% in 2013. 

UNISON head of health Christina McAnea said: “It is clear that nothing has been done in the last 12 months to ease the pain of health workers. The NHS Staff Survey is a key tool for reviewing and improving the staff experience and so providing better care. But this is at risk as more and more private companies are getting hold of NHS contracts and denying staff a voice. 

“More workers are dissatisfied with their level of pay this year than the previous year. And with so many feeling undervalued, not listened to, and provided with so little support, it is no surprise that fewer would recommend the NHS as a place to work. 

“It is also worrying that more than a third of staff questioned this year would be unhappy with the standard of care provided by their organisation should a friend or relative need treatment.” 

More than 255,000 staff responded to the 2014 survey, whose results were released today, a response rate of 42% down from 49% in 2013. Also, only 41% of staff said they are satisfied with the extent to which they felt that their organisation values their work, the same as in 2013. 

Danny Mortimer, chief executive of the NHS Employers organisation, said: “Anyone exploring these findings each year will appreciate the tremendous resilience of NHS organisations and their staff. However, the results this year show staff reporting increased pressure because of significant challenges facing the health service. 

“The variation in staff experience remains a real concern and in December the major national organisations signed a staff experience pledge, committing to improve this vital area. The NHS welcomes the commitments being made by all the political parties to invest in the NHS, but also accepts that it must do more to involve and engage staff in finding solutions to the challenges facing their services.” 

Results for job satisfaction were slightly up from last year with just over three-quarters of staff (79%) satisfied with the support they receive from colleagues and 74% satisfied with the amount of responsibility they are given. These scores are the same as in 2013.

However, it was revealed that slightly more staff reported that care of patients is their organisation’s top priority (up from 66% in 2013 to 67% in 2014) and more felt that senior managers are committed to patient care (53%, up from 52% in 2013). 

Back in 2013, most NHS staff said they would know how to report any concerns they have about fraud, malpractice or wrongdoing (89%), 71% would feel safe raising these concerns and but just over half (54%) would feel confident that their organisation would address them. 

In the 12 months that followed, 93% now say they would know how to report a concern, but only 68% would feel secure raising these concerns about unsafe clinical practice and just over half (57%) would feel confident that their organisation would address their concern. 

Neil Churchill, director of patient experience at NHS England, said: “This national survey is a great tool to listen to NHS staff – one of the most dedicated staff groups in the country – and translate their views into tangible improvements to work environments. This is vital because we know that better staff experience means better care for patients. 

“However, the national averages mask striking differences in staff experience between different hospitals and other NHS employers. It is vital that NHS organisations take ownership of their data and act on the results – all feedback becomes positive when it is used as a tool for improvement.” 

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