Satisfaction remains high amongst health and social care staff

A survey of health and social care workers has found 78% of those who took part feel they are treated with dignity and respect, and 74% said they were treated fairly and consistently.

The Health and Social Care Staff Experience Report 2019, published today, is a survey of staff experience across NHS Scotland and health and social care partnerships.

Overall staff satisfaction remains high with 84% of staff agreeing that ‘my line manager is sufficiently approachable’ and 80% agreeing ‘my line manager cares about my health and wellbeing.

In contrast, the proportion of staff who feel their organisation cares about their health and wellbeing has reduced slightly to 50%, and confidence and trust in senior managers to 38%.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said:

“Those working across the health and social care sector are our most important asset and I would like to pay tribute to all staff for their continuing efforts over this busy winter period as well as throughout the year.

“I am delighted that staff satisfaction remains high and staff engagement levels have increased from 2018. As we know, positive staff experience supports improved care for our patients.

“However, it is concerning to note that while the majority of staff feel their line manager cares about their health and wellbeing, this is not reflected at an organisational level.

“This must improve and I expect all senior leaders and managers across the service to consider the report’s findings carefully and take action where needed.

“There is no room for complacency and the multi-agency Ministerial Short-Life Working Group I convened following the Sturrock Review has been tasked with developing a framework to support cultural improvement.

“Work is also underway on a new dignity at work measurement tool, designed by health and social care staff, to ensure they feel valued, listened to and respected at work.”

Background

The Health and Social Care Staff Experience Report 2019 (iMatter) report is available on the Scottish Government website. The questionnaire will begin again this February. In 2019, the overall response rate rose to 62%, up 3% on the previous year.

iMatter results are directly reported at team, directorate and organisational level. Teams are then invited to develop an action plan within a 12-week period and to review actions and progress made throughout the year. In 2019, there was a 2% increase in the number of action plans in place within 12 weeks of receiving the iMatter results.

Staff engagement is calculated through the Employee Engagement Index (EEI), based on the number of responses for each point on the scale (Strongly Agree to Strongly Disagree) multiplied by its number value (6 to 1).  These scores are added together and divided by the overall number of responses to give the score to show level of engagement. The 2019 EEI Score for Health and Social Care is 76, an improvement of one point from the 2017 score.