Commenting on the annual NHS staff survey published today (Thursday), UNISON head of health Helga Pile said:
“A workforce that feels treated well is at the heart of getting the NHS back on track. But the survey shows there’s a long way to go.
“Harassment, bullying and sexually motivated incidents remain shockingly high. Staff providing vital treatment and support must be able to do their jobs without fear of any kind of abuse, attack or unwanted advances.
“Employers must ensure everyone working in the NHS is safer and wrongdoers are dealt with severely.
“The latest figures show most NHS staff are anything but happy with their pay. It’s clear the workforce is yet to feel any signs of the change promised by the new government.
“Employees know not everything can be fixed overnight. But the government has not done anything concrete to improve things for the workforce.
“Ministers must take heed and get wages right, as well as follow through on last year’s promises to overhaul the NHS pay structure.
“If the health service is to have any hope of retaining experienced staff, all NHS workers need to be paid well, and rewarded for their increased responsibilities to reduce the burnout that’s affecting so many.”
Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.
Media contacts:
Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk
Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: press@unison.co.uk
The article Harassment and abuse levels still far too high in NHS first appeared on the UNISON National site.
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