Survey shows declining moral among hospital workers in Southampton
Demoralised workers report staff shortages and mounting workloads
Demoralised hospital workers in Southampton have reported staff shortages and mounting workload pressures.
The annual NHS staff survey for University Hospital Southampton (UHS) saw results in all areas drop compared to the previous year.
The concerning picture comes with the trust facing significant financial pressures, which led to hundreds of jobs cut and even free staff coffee, tea and milk being axed.
There was a 10 per cent fall to 58.37 per cent in the number of respondents who would recommend UHS as a place to work, while only one in four said there were enough staff for them to do their job properly.
Dr Alex Freeman, British Medical Association (BMA) south central regional council chairwoman, said: “Findings from the NHS staff survey highlight the scale of the challenge facing doctors in Southampton, with many reporting low morale and there not being enough staff to do their jobs safely.
“Long hours, rota gaps and relentless time pressures are taking a serious toll on staff wellbeing, making it increasingly difficult to provide the standard of care patients deserve.”
Dr Freeman said the situation was not sustainable and risked driving doctors away from the NHS at a time when they were needed most.
She added: “Urgent action is needed to improve staffing levels, address workload pressures and strengthen support for staff, so they can deliver safe, high-quality care while protecting their own health and wellbeing.”
Sarah Johnston, Royal College of Nursing head of operations, said since 2021 there had been a sharp decline in the number of nurses and midwives who would be happy with the standard of care provided if a friend or relative needed treatment at UHS (82.84 per cent down to 64.79 per cent).
Ms Johnston said: “The drop in morale at University Hospital Southampton is of no surprise to us.
“Speaking to members this has been really evident and the decision to cut the specialist bank rate will have almost certainly played into this.
“Nurses have told us that this decision led to them feeling undervalued and demoralised which is exactly what the results show.”
A UHS spokesperson said over the past year the organisation had faced significant challenges from financial pressures, which were driven by the biggest cost improvement programme in its history.
The spokesperson said: “This has led to the trust having to make difficult decisions in order to live within our means while continuing to deliver safe patient care.
“This has included workforce reductions and organisational restructuring against a backdrop of continued high demand for our services.
“We absolutely recognise the impact this has had on our people and how it has been reflected in our staff survey results over the last year.
“We have tried to be as open and honest as possible with how and why we have made some of these decisions, and over the coming months we will continue to work with colleagues across the organisation on moving forward together, delivering the best possible care for our patients.”