What is the NHS Staff Survey?

The NHS Staff Survey is a large-scale annual survey conducted to gather the views and experiences of NHS staff in England. It helps identify areas for improvement and provides insights into the workforce’s well-being, job satisfaction, work environment, and overall engagement. The survey results are used by NHS Trusts and NHS England to inform decisions and shape policies that improve the working environment for NHS staff.  Results are included in the new NHS league tables.

Why might new starters not receive the survey?

Identification of the staff to include in the survey is completed in the summer and staff lists were frozen on 01 September 2025 and submitted to our survey provided.  Therefore, any staff who started working at the Trust after that date will not be included in this year’s survey.

Is the NHS Staff Survey confidential?

Yes, confidentiality is a fundamental principle of the NHS Staff Survey. All responses are anonymous, meaning individual responses cannot be linked back to any specific individual. This allows staff to provide honest and constructive feedback without fear of repercussions.

Results are reported at an aggregate level (for example, Trust-wide or departmental level); if any teams have fewer than 11 responses the results are not available; also any identifying information is excluded to ensure privacy.

For further transparency, an independent third-party organization manages the collection and analysis of the survey data. In our case this is IQVIA.

Confidentiality works in a similar way as to when you vote at an election. When you arrive at a polling station, your name is crossed off the register, so they know you’ve voted. But once your ballot paper goes into the box, there’s no way of tracing it back to you. The Staff Survey works in the same way — the system can tell if you’ve participated, but your responses are placed anonymously into a collective “ballot box” for analysis.

Why are there socioeconomic questions in the survey?

The NHS Staff Survey provides a detailed picture of staff experience across the NHS. We want to see the NHS workforce is reflective of our population’s socio-economic diversity and where barriers exist, they identified and addressed.

Research by the Social Mobility Foundation, 2024 show that those from less-advantaged socioeconomic background are paid less and often progress at a slower rate than their peers, despite no difference in performance.

We want all our staff, no matter their background to have a good working experience in the NHS. The inclusion of questions on socio economic background (SEB) are intended to help NHS organisations and systems to understand how individuals from different socio-economic backgrounds experience work.

How is the data used by the NHS?

The data collected from the survey is used in several ways:

• Improvement: NHS Trusts use the feedback to identify strengths and weaknesses within their organisation and to implement strategies for improvement.
• Benchmarking: Survey results are compared across different NHS Trusts, regions, and specialties to identify trends and best practices.
• Policy Development: NHS England and the Department of Health use the data to inform national policies and initiatives aimed at improving the working conditions and well-being of NHS staff.
• Transparency: Results are often shared with the public, offering insight into NHS staff satisfaction and highlighting areas where improvement is needed.

How are the results reported?

Survey results are typically reported at both the Trust level and the national level:

• Trust Level: NHS Trusts receive their own detailed report and are encouraged to share this with staff, fostering a culture of transparency and open dialogue.
• National Level: Results are aggregated and published on national platforms, such as NHS Digital, and used by policymakers, unions, and other stakeholders to assess the overall state of the NHS workforce.

When does the NHS Staff Survey take place?

The NHS Staff Survey typically takes place in the autumn, with the survey window being open for several weeks. Exact dates may vary slightly from year to year, and Trusts will communicate the specific timeframe to their staff.  This year the timescale is 15 September 2025 – 28 November 2025.

What happens if staff don’t complete the survey?

Participation in the NHS Staff Survey is voluntary, but completing it helps ensure that staff voices are heard and considered when shaping future NHS policies and initiatives. Non-participation will not affect any individual's employment or career. However, the more responses gathered, the more accurately the survey can represent the views of NHS staff.

What kind of questions are included in the NHS Staff Survey?

The NHS Staff Survey typically includes questions in the following areas:

• Workplace culture (e.g., teamwork, leadership, inclusivity)
• Job satisfaction (e.g., job satisfaction, opportunities for career development)
• Well-being (e.g., work-life balance, stress levels)
• Communication and support (e.g., involvement, feedback from managers)
• Organizational issues (e.g., workload, discrimination, raising concerns)
• Demographic background (e.g. ethnicity, age, disability etc.)

What should I do if I have concerns about my responses?

If you have concerns about confidentiality or how your data is being used, you can contact the team responsible for the survey in your organisation. They should be able to explain the data protection measures in place and address any questions you might have via email on your.experience@elht.nhs.uk .

Can I see the results of the NHS Staff Survey?

Yes, the results are typically made publicly available once they have been compiled and analysed. Trusts often share the results with their staff through internal communications, ELHT does this through Divisional Workshops to support local action planning, Team In-Reach sessions and also via a SharePoint page National Staff Survey Data Hub  . National findings are usually published by NHS Digital and can be accessed on their website.

How can I support the NHS Staff Survey activity?

You can help support this by:

• Completing the survey honestly: Provide constructive feedback based on your true experiences.
• Encouraging colleagues to participate: The more people who take part, the more accurate the results will be and teams are more likely to receive team level results which drives local changes to your work area.
• Providing further feedback on areas to improve: The Staff Survey is only one of the many ways in which we listen to feedback to improve staff experience.  Look out for Listening Labs with our Executive Team or join one of our Staff Networks to share experiences and drive change.

Can my answers to the survey affect my job?

No, responses to the NHS Staff Survey are anonymous and confidential. The survey is designed to provide a safe space for employees to voice their opinions without fear of negative consequences. NHS organizations are committed to protecting staff from any form of retribution for taking part in the survey.

How can I access support if I feel my responses are not being addressed?

If you feel that issues raised in the NHS Staff Survey have not been addressed or acted upon, you can:

• Raise concerns directly with your line manager or with HR.
• Contract the Staff Guardian with your concern in confidence.
• Request a meeting with a member of the Experience Team here at the Trust.
• Contact your Trade Union Representative.

What happens after the survey results are collected?

After the survey results are collected and analysed, NHS Trusts use the feedback to identify trends and areas for improvement. This might lead to:

• Action plans to address specific issues raised by staff.
• Programmes designed to enhance well-being and engagement.
• Reassessments of policies, procedures and staff development.

Regular communication from Trusts will ensure that staff are kept informed about any changes or improvements that result from the survey.

How can I stay updated about the NHS Staff Survey?

• Check your email: Search for ‘Unmute Yourself’ in your inbox for your survey.
• Internal communications: Keep an eye on Teams Brief and regular newsletters for our results and opportunities to share your ideas in the future.
• Engage with the Experience Team: If you have questions, you can reach out to the Team who manage this on behalf of the Trust.

How can I complete a staff survey for ELHT? I still work for another trust (e.g. Blackpool)

All One LSC colleagues are employed by ELHT, as ELHT hosts One LSC. Your responses will contribute to a report that reflects feedback from the entire One LSC community, as well as site-specific reports—provided that at least 10 responses are received from each site (to ensure anonymity, reports are not produced for fewer than 10 responses).

Your voice is equally important, whether you work at an ELHT site or elsewhere. By providing honest feedback, you’ll help drive meaningful improvements for yourself, your colleagues, and the wider One LSC community across Lancashire and South Cumbria.