THE trust that runs the Holsworthy Community Hospital has rated better than other NHS Trusts in the majority of indicators in a recent national study.

There was a high ranking for the NHS Trust, which runs the hospital and local health and social care services, compared with similar trusts in almost three quarters of all indicators, according to the national survey of staff published last month.

In comparison to other trusts which offer acute and community services, the Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust was rated better than average in 23 of the 32 key findings in the NHS staff survey for 2015.

The trust was ranked above average in nine areas and did not fall below average in any.

The trust, compared with similar trusts, stood out in the following five key areas:

r Ability to contribute towards improvements

r Belief that the trust provides equal opportunities for career progression or promotion

r Satisfaction with resourcing and support

r Agreeing that their role makes a difference to patients or service users

r Feeling recognised and valued by managers and the organisation.

Dr Alison Diamond, chief executive of the Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust, said: “This is another excellent set of results, after our staff rated us the best trust in the South West and fourth in the country in 2014.

“The survey showed that our overall staff engagement had further improved since 2014, which is very encouraging, especially given the challenges we’ve faced such as the uncertainty over the proposed transfer of community services in our Eastern patch.

“We are delighted that staff continue to feel so positively about working for the trust.

“We know that when staff enjoy their job, patients receive better and more compassionate care.”

The staff rated average in the percentage of staff having an appraisal in the last 12 months and the percentage of staff or colleagues reporting their most recent experience of harassment, bullying or abuse — but these two areas have seen a decline in staff experience compared with 2014.

Dr Diamond added: “There is always more we can do to improve the experience of staff and the survey helps us to identify areas to focus on over the next year and beyond.”

The full survey results can be viewed at www.nhsstaffsurveys.com