Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (MPFT) is celebrating today, having been rated amongst the best-performing organisations in the 2021 national NHS staff survey, despite it being a very challenging year for the NHS.

The Trust received its highest number of responses ever, with over 5,000 staff completing the survey; this is more than some NHS organisations employ.

The challenges of last year brought Team MPFT even closer, as demonstrated by 80% of our staff feeling that colleagues show appreciation to one another.

MPFT worked hard last year to support staff with their own health and wellbeing, as they were working hard to support their patients. This is reflected in the number of staff who believe that the organisation takes positive action on health and wellbeing; with results double the worst performing organisation.

MPFT’s leaders are passionate about creating an environment where colleagues can speak up freely about any concerns they have. Having been shortlisted for the freedom to speak up award at the prestigious HSJ awards last year, we are thrilled that three-quarters of our staff feel safe to speak up about anything that concerns them in this organisation, 7.4% above average.

MPFT is proud to be a compassionate and inclusive Trust, scoring 6.5% above average and 30% higher than the worst performing organisation, for staff who feel the organisation respects individual differences.

Chief Executive Officer, Neil Carr, said “I am delighted with the Trust’s overall staff survey results.

“To score so highly in the areas of staff engagement and morale, in what has been an extremely tough year for our staff, is just fantastic.

“We continually work hard to make MPFT a fantastic place to work. Last year, we thanked colleagues for their continued hard work and commitment, with the gift of two well-being days and the award-winning ‘big shout out’ virtual celebration event.

“I am pleased that so many of our workforce took the time to complete the survey, which indicates a willingness to share their views. I am keen to continue this trend; shaping an ever more positive working environment.”

The majority of staff are enthusiastic about their job and the percentage of staff who said they would be happy with the standard of care provided by the organisation to a friend or relative is an impressive 10.5% higher than average.

Almost 80% of staff agree that their immediate manager encourages them at work, an area in which the Trust is pleased to have seen an increase; putting MPFT at just over half a point away from the best performing organisation.