UCLH top trust to work at in London – and third best in the country

Our staff have rated UCLH as the top trust in London to work at, and the third best in the country, during what has been another incredibly challenging year.

HSJ analysed the results of the NHS Staff Survey for staff at general acute and acute/community trusts who said they “agree” or “strongly agree” with the statement “I would recommend my organisation as a place to work”. 

Top 5 general acute and acute/community trusts in England 

Top 5 general acute and acute/community trusts in London 

Staff were also really positive with the care we provide our patients, with 86 per cent saying they would be happy for a friend or relative to be treated here, compared to 67 per cent (average) for other acute trusts. 

Chief executive David Probert said: “We have had an enormously challenging couple of years, but it is great to see that our #oneteam ethos has prevailed and ensured that UCLH remains a fantastic place to work. 

“I am also really proud to see that so many of staff are happy with the care we give our patients and they would want to have them treated here. 

“Of course, there are always areas where we can improve and these results show we still have more to do in the areas of diversity, equality and inclusion, violence and aggression towards staff, and bullying and harassment, among others, and we will be focusing on these in the next year. 

Owing to a redesign of the annual NHS staff survey, the results of the staff survey feed into the 7 People Promises from the NHS People plan. This is a change from the themes used in previous years. The themes of staff engagement and morale remain and are reported on. The 7 People Promises are: 

• We are compassionate and inclusive 
• We are recognised and rewarded 
• We each have a voice that counts 
• We are safe and healthy 
• We are always learning 
• We work flexibly 
• We are a team 
• Staff engagement (theme from previous years) 
• Morale (theme from previous years) 

These results are presented in the context of the best, average and worst results for similar organisations. UCLH scored above average for similar trusts, on all 7 People Promises, along with staff engagement and morale. UCLH scored below the national best across all people promises and the two themes. 

The survey responses did raise some concerns, which UCLH will continue to focus on, including: 

• Staff Wellbeing 
• Equality Diversity and Inclusion 
• Violence and aggression towards staff from patients and public 
• Bullying and Harassment/Civility and Respect 
• Morale and motivation 

We have recently shared the details of the staff survey with senior managers and will involve staff and unions in the coming weeks to reflect on the results and discuss how we can improve.