A recent survey has found up to two-thirds of hospital doctors and nurses would not recommend that family and friends are treated where they work.

The internal survey was sent to 203,000 NHS staff and posed the statement: “If a friend or relative needed treatment, I would be happy with the standard of care provided by this organisation” Everyone was then asked to respond to this statement, saying whether they strongly agreed, agreed, disagreed, strongly disagreed or had no view.

Of the 101,000 staff who responded:

  • 63% strongly agreed
  • 12% disagreed or strongly disagreed
  • 25% did not express a preference

Therefore 37% did not recommend treatment at their own hospital.

At 17 NHS Trusts, less than half of staff would recommend treatment. North Cumbria University Hospitals and United Lincolnshire Hospitals were the worst ranked, both of which have relatively high death rates and are currently undergoing investigation.

The survey was encouraged by the Prime Minister who believes the “family and friends test” provides an accurate indicator on the quality of hospital care. “If those working in hospitals don’t want their families treated at their place of work, that should be a shaming moment for the hospitals concerned” a senior source said.

“The Prime Minister’s view is that the friends and family test is an excellent way to get a holistic view of hospital care and should be helpful for hospitals to focus on improvements.”

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