Our cultural audit

The Trust recognises that there are many staff and behavioural related issues throughout the region that currently need addressing.  The number of dignity at work, bullying and grievance cases are too high. Staff wellbeing (physical and mental health) and retention are issues, as is the speed with which we do things: we need to resolve things more quickly and start to embed learning from casework.

The Trust is determined to improve its current culture and is undertaking the cultural audit to help identify the main issues.  There is understandably some scepticism about this review and given both where we are and our history many staff may question the point of completing the survey.  We have heard some staff feel things won’t change, no one listens and actions don’t happen, but this time the Executive team, led by Chief Executive Robert Morton, are determined to take action to change the existing culture – your responses and feedback are vital and will directly influence the outcome.

A number of small focus groups are taking place in February, made up of a random selection of front line staff, corporate staff, managers etc., to give Zeal Solutions (who are conducting the audit) an overview of the key themes to be explored.

Zeal Solutions were chosen as they have considerable experience evidencing the need for culture change in NHS trusts and also specifically in Ambulance Trusts. They are experts in psychological health and general wellbeing in the workplace.

The key themes identified in the focus groups will be incorporated into the survey design, along with themes arising from the NHS staff survey, previous Trust surveys and information and CQC reports.

The survey will be sent out to everyone March and will be completely anonymous. All staff will have the ability to add further comments when filling in the survey and everyone's views will be taken into account. This is a genuine step towards evidencing our existing culture and identifying the changes our Trust needs.  We really hope everyone will support this work and be part of the process.

After all, every one of us is part of the culture so it's REALLY important we take part, complete the survey and have our say.

The results will be shared openly with staff, UNISON, the CQC and stakeholders in April/May.

Published 12th February, 2016