GREAT Western Hospital staff feel overworked, stressed, and burnt out - and some would not be happy if their loved ones needed treatment there.

The annual poll of NHS staff across England revealed a drop in satisfaction with care standards and increased concern over workforce numbers, discontent with pay and work-related stress.

At GWH, 61 per cent of the 2,428 staff who responded to the 2021 survey said if a friend or relative needed treatment, they would be happy with the standard of care provided by their organisation – down from 70 per cent the year before.

Across England as a whole, 68 per cent of staff said the same – down from 74 per cent in 2020.

Only 22 per cent of survey respondents at GWH said there’s enough staff for them to do their job properly – down from 31 per cent in 2020. Nearly half of staff who took part in the survey said they had felt unwell as a result of work-related stress in the previous 12 months, while 39 per cent often or always felt burnt out because of their job.

Two thirds said they feel enthusiastic about their job, but this is down from 75 per cent the year before.

Royal College of Nursing director for England, Patricia Marquis, said the national figures will "do nothing to reassure the public".

She added: “Nursing staff have sent a clear message they’re exhausted and that staff shortages are undermining their efforts to give safe and effective care.

“This is a stark reminder of the impact of tens of thousands of nursing vacancies."

Only a third of NHS workers across England are satisfied with their level of pay – it was 27 per cent at Great Western Hospitals Trust.

A Great Western Hospital spokesman said: "Our staff have done a phenomenal job caring for patients during what has been another incredibly challenging year and we are hugely grateful for everything they do. Understandably, the disruption to work and home lives has had an impact on staff morale across the NHS, and the results of the staff survey reflect these challenges.

“We will respond to this important feedback, keep listening to our staff and work together to deliver improvements in areas that staff have said are important to them. Our ambition is that we are a trust where everyone’s views are heard and where everyone can be proud of the difference they make for patients."

Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, which represents trusts, said the overall picture is unsurprising due to the "unprecedented pressure" placed on NHS staff throughout the pandemic.

“The fall in staff morale is a real cause for concern," he said.

It comes amid growing anger among unions over the pay of NHS workers.

Em Wilkinson-Brice, acting chief people officer for the NHS in England, said: “The NHS is nothing without the commitment and dedication of its staff.

"That has never been clearer than over the last two years as they have cared for over 660,000 Covid patients and rolled out the world leading NHS Covid vaccination programme, all while dealing with record levels of pressure in other parts of the health service.

“We know the last two years will have had a knock-on effect, which is why we have maintained our focus on health and wellbeing as set out in our People Plan, including a 24/7 text support line, greater options of flexible working and rapid access to mental health services when needed.”