NHS staff name NELFT as the most compassionate, inclusive and flexible mental health and community Trusts across Kent, Essex and North East London.

Following the results of last year’s NHS Staff Survey – an annual survey completed by NHS Staff across the country to help improve staff and patient experiences – NELFT was rated highly in a number of the ‘People Promises’ showing how the Trust is committed to supporting staff and providing great care for patients.

The ‘People Promises’ created by NHS England, with input from staff, demonstrate the commitment by the NHS to improve the experience of its people.

The results of last year’s survey, which was open during October and November, show how NELFT compares with the other 11 mental health, learning disability and community health Trusts across its patch of North East London, Essex and Kent and Medway.

NELFT ranked first in four of the seven NHS People Promises:

• We are compassionate and inclusive
• We each have a voice that counts
• We are safe and healthy
• We work flexibly

The Trust also ranked second in ‘We are recognised and rewarded’, third in ‘We are a team’ and seventh in ‘We are always learning’, also ranking second for both ‘Morale’ and ‘Staff engagement’.

Jacqui Van Rossum, Acting Chief Executive, NELFT, said:

“I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who completed the NHS Staff Survey at the end of last year. Feedback from staff is so important. It helps us to make sure the changes we make are the ones our colleagues want to see and that we improve their experience of working at NELFT, as well as the care we provide to our patients.

“I am impressed with the great results but know there is always room for improvement and that we have more work to do. Our staff survey project team is working hard to put together action plans based on what staff told us in the survey, and we will be working hard to put these into action over the coming months.”