The latest staff survey at Airedale Hospital indicates employees are proud of the care they provide but feel under pressure to meet increasing work demands.

Conclusions from the survey were considered by Airedale NHS Foundation Trust Board members at their latest monthly meeting.

The report also states the survey indicates most hospital staff would recommend the trust as a good place to work and receive treatment.

Airedale chief executive Bridget Fletcher said: “Overall, the report is positive, with many areas showing improvements on last time.

“Our scores on staff engagement and recommending the trust as a place to work or receive treatment have improved on last time and are above average for acute trusts.

“However, there is no room for complacency as there remain issues for the trust to focus on.

“These include improving appraisal rates, addressing work pressures and satisfaction regarding communication between senior managers and staff.”

The written report summing up the survey’s results states pressure of work is a key area of concern for staff and unions.

It says staff would like to be more involved in decision making and recommends ways of enhancing communication between Airedale’s management board and employees.

Commenting on staff concerns about abuse and violence from members of the public, it adds: “While the trust compares favour-ably with other trusts in this area, levels of reported incidents among front-line staff remain high.” The report adds that Airedale compares favourably with other acute trusts in particular areas, with 32 per cent of its staff suffering work-related stress in the past 12 months, compared with a national average of 37 per cent.

Ninety-three per cent of Airedale staff believe their trust provides equal opportunities for career progression, compared to a national average of 88 per cent.

However, in other categories, Airedale compares less favourably. For example, 30 per cent of its staff felt pressure in the past three months to attend work when feeling unwell, compared to an average of 28 per cent.