Valuing our people
A happy workforce is linked to good patient care. Listening to our staff and colleagues is key to improving staff experience.
Our Foundations for the Future improvement programme allows us to take a deep-dive approach into particular areas of the Trust’s work that need a focused review.
Through Foundations for the Future, we have been listening to our staff to understand how we can improve their experience and wellbeing at work. Our staff consistently tell us that community, development, wellbeing, and benefits are where we should focus our support. By focusing on these aspects, the programme is already having an impact. More staff are staying to work in the Trust, with our turnover rate falling from 15.6% in July 2022 to 12.6% this June.
Community
Community for our staff is about belonging, recognition; feeling listened to and being treated with respect and compassion. We have expanded our staff recognition schemes and values awards, introduced an event to celebrate long-serving staff, and launched an online Coffee Club for staff to meet and network.
Staff can have their say and help to co-create improvements through regular People Pulse surveys, on-site listening events, and staff involvement forums, and we run regular breakfasts with our executives. Through our meeting-free Fridays at the end of each month we have increased senior leadership visibility and connection with frontline staff.
Development
To support continuous learning and development, a new Career Centre has been introduced where all staff can access thousands of personal development courses and resources. In partnership with our Charity, we have launched a new scholarship providing access to funding for education and training. We have improved onboarding for new staff, invested in additional Practice Education Nurses who develop colleagues’ clinical skills, and expanded our leadership development training programmes.
Wellbeing
Building on our current provisions of psychological support for staff, we have increased the number of Buddies and mental health first aiders, who support colleagues’ wellbeing and identify those who may be struggling. A new Team Health Faculty has also started working collaboratively to encourage an inclusive and supportive work environment.
Community pantries have been introduced at Basildon, Broomfield, and Southend hospitals which offer free non-perishable food and toiletries. These pantries and our support vouchers have assisted staff who may be struggling financially.
Benefits
We have a new portal that provides discounts to staff on everyday goods and services, such as shopping or going to the gym. Our staff now receive free tea and coffee at work and are provided with access to emergency sanitary products.
Valuing our people is a continuous process, and our staff have told us there is more that we need to do, including work to improve our physical environment. We remain committed to looking after our staff, as we know this leads to outstanding patient care.