Nuffield Trust response to NHS staff survey

Responding to the NHS staff survey 2023, Nuffield Trust Senior Fellow Dr Billy Palmer said:

“It’s good to see some indication of improving satisfaction among NHS staff but the early signs of this rebound come from a low point, and some key measures which have seen some small improvement, including intention to leave reported by staff, remain above pre-pandemic levels.

“Compared to the previous year, there have been improvements reported around sickness absence, attending work when unwell, stress and burnout which could all contribute to more sustainable NHS services although, for each of these measures, there is clear scope to improve further.

"Given the NHS is facing an incredibly tough challenge to keep valuable staff within the service by reducing the numbers leaving their careers early, a reduction in intention to leave could be a positive sign but it is concerning that this hasn’t fallen to pre-pandemic levels. The exhausted workforce also unsurprisingly report picking up less extra discretionary work over the last year which for a long while the NHS has relied on.

“Despite some encouraging signs, the picture painted by over 700,000 NHS staff suggests it is tricky to see how the NHS can expect to meet the stretching productivity goals required to keep services running and reduce the backlog of planned care.”