Staff survey delivers positive results
Monday, 30 March, 2009
Chairman Heather Strawbridge (right) and Viki Pollard (left) a representative from the HR Team
Chief Executive Ken Wenman far left, next to the award sponsor from Airwave.
South Western Ambulance Service has been awarded a prestigious accolade from the Health Service Journal and Nursing Times after being officially named as the best ambulance service to work for nationally.
The Trust forms part of the 'Healthcare 100 list' of all the top 100 healthcare organisations to work for around the country, based on the survey results from their staff.The awards were open to both NHS and independent healthcare providers in the acute, primary care, mental health and ambulance sectors.
The award was presented at a glittering ceremony held at the London Hilton, Park Lane, where the Trust's Chief Executive Ken Wenman, Chairman Heather Strawbridge
and HR representative Viki Pollard, were all invited to accept the much sought after accolade.
The Trust was announced the winner in its category following the lengthy nomination process. Questionnaires relating to working conditions, working relationships, performance management, development, communications and work and life balance were sent to a random sample of staff, who were then tasked with completing and returning them. The results were analysed and those with the highest number of positive responses were
named the winners.
Receiving the 'top ambulance trust' accolade nationally comes at a time when the region's ambulance service is also the highest performing Trust nationally, which means that increasing numbers of patients with life threatening emergencies are being reached and treated more quickly than anywhere else in the country. This is challenging for all ambulance trusts nationally but for a rural service like the South Western Ambulance Trust, this is especially challenging.
Chief Executive Ken Wenman said, "I would like to thank everyone for taking part in the research process, which led to us being named as the best in the country. All our staff working across the four counties we are proud to serve, who are reaching and treating patients more quickly than ever before, deserve praise and recognition for their continuing dedication and professionalism, which makes this Trust such a great place to work."
The awards supplement, handed out at the ceremony summarises the Trust success: 'Relationships with colleagues will always be important for an ambulance crew - and that is true of this organisation.
Helping people who are in difficult situations is key to job satisfaction and there is also praise for the managerial style, the forward thinking approach to work practices and the training opportunities.'
Heather Strawbridge, the Trust's Chairman was delighted to collect the award and said: "I am really pleased that winning this prestigious award is as a consequence of the positive feedback generated by our staff, whose views and opinions are very much valued. Thank you to everyone who took part. Your time and input is much appreciated."
