More than a third of staff would not recommend hospitals
More than a third of staff at two hospitals say they would not advise people to go there.
Results of a new staff survey at Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, which runs Sandwell and Birmingham City hospitals, revealed only 61.9 per cent would recommend it as a place to go to receive care.
The feedback has caused concern for trust bosses who say they are trying to understand why the figure was so low.
More than 2,700 staff took part in the survey on a range of subjects. The trust has struggled with A&E performance, which has been hampered further recently by a lack of available beds.
The Sandwell trust will run the new Midland Metropolitan University Hospital when it opens in two years' time.
Chief executive Toby Lewis said the fact so few workers would recommend their own hospitals to the public was "disappointing".
He did, however, point on results were more encouraging in other areas.
He said: "We are pleased that this year many more colleagues than in previous years took the time to have their say through the national staff survey with over 2,700 responses.
"The survey results show improvements in opportunities for flexible working and our health and wellbeing offer for staff. We scored well in colleagues reporting that they receive clear feedback from their line manager and that they are involved in decision making. The quality of appraisal also showed a significant improvement from the previous year.
"We are keen to learn from our staff about what would encourage more of them to positively recommend the trust as a place to receive care and to learn best practice from other organisations. Focus on the quality of care and safety of patients came out strongly in the results which is in line with the work we are doing through our quality and safety plans."
In his latest report to board members on the issue, Mr Lewis said: "Of particular note is our continued low rate of staff-reported recommendation of care here – well short of the 90 per cent national leading figure achieved in Newcastle.
"With our upcoming Speak Up work in May, we will consider how we best understand that result and what can be done to tackle it."
