Norfolk and Norwich hospital staff morale remains a problem

Last year, workers at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital reported the lowest morale levels during the national annual NHS staff survey.

However, the latest results have shown a slight improvement in its overall rating -  from 5.17 out of 10 to 5.56 - no longer the lowest for any acute hospital trust.

The trust also received improved results in 96 out of 106 questions asked of the 4,378 workers who participated in the survey - just under half (47pc) of its workforce. 

But while the improvements have been welcomed by trust leaders, bosses say more still needs to be done to support staff.

Paul Jones, chief human resources officer at the N&N, said: "Even though we have made improvements, we still have a way to go.

"Some themes are unsurprising, but still big concerns."

Mr Jones said the controversial measure of cramming extra beds into corridors in particular was having an impact on how workers were feeling.

He added: "There is no one simple answer [to the problem] and I think one issue of being under pressure is that it can make staff feel they are not able to provide the level of care they aspire to.

"You sometimes feel swamped with the escalation of beds and patients being treated in corridors, which is still not what we would like to be doing."

Three trusts nationwide scored worse than the N&N for morale, Mid and South Essex, York and Scarborough and the Countess of Chester - the hospital at the centre of the Lucy Letby murder trial.

Among the areas the trust saw improvements in the survey was the number of workers admitting they were thinking of leaving the hospital.

In 2022, almost half of workers said they were considering leaving the trust. 

The latest result slightly improved, with six out of 10 employees saying they were not.