UK. New report says NHS staff are disillusioned and demoralised

Citation

(2002), "UK. New report says NHS staff are disillusioned and demoralised", International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, Vol. 15 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijhcqa.2002.06215eab.006

UK. New report says NHS staff are disillusioned and demoralised

UK

New report says NHS staff are disillusioned and demoralised

A new report from the King's Fund, Counting the Smiles, by Belinda Finlayson, says that morale is low in the NHS, putting at risk the Government's plans to modernise the service. The two biggest causes of low morale are chronic staff shortages, which make working conditions difficult, and the strong perception among staff that their work is not valued.

The research for the report, funded by the Edgar Lawley Foundation, was based on focus groups with NHS staff and managers. It says that morale is lowest where NHS staff feel their views are not heard by managers, especially where political imperatives prevail over local priorities. Many staff said training and development opportunities were denied them because shortages forced them to take extra shifts instead. In this atmosphere, it is hard for them to provide the best possible care to patients or to improve the quality of service they deliver.

Counting the Smiles argues that morale can be improved if managers spend more time listening to staff and communicate patients' thanks for their efforts. While staff shortages are being tackled, NHS organisations should ensure flexible working arrangements are made, adequate training opportunities are provided and staff are involved in efforts to improve the service.

King's Fund chief executive Rabbi Julia Neuberger said: "the NHS needs highly-motivated staff. Too many nurses, doctors, managers, therapists, care assistants and ancillary staff are demoralised. That damages their motivation and contributes to the dangerously high levels of staff turnover experienced by many NHS Trusts.

"It is crucial that NHS staff know that their political masters value their work, not merely through rhetoric but through concerted action to promote the value of public service, to continue improving pay and career opportunities, and to make their working lives considerably better. Politicians of all hues should listen intently to the views of NHS staff and patients when making plans for the service's future."

Counting the Smiles: Morale and Motivation in the NHS, by Belinda Finlayson, is available in PDF format at http://www.kingsfund.org.uk/eKingsfund/assets/applets/Counting_the_Smiles.pdf