JOB satisfaction at Bexley’s NHS trusts is poor, according to a survey.

Queen Mary’s Sidcup (QMS) and Bexley Care Trust (BCT) are among the worst performing 20 per cent of trusts across England in the survey which looks at job satisfaction, work pressure and staff intending to leave their job.

The findings are part of an extensive survey carried out last year by the Healthcare Commission to gauge the feelings of doctors, nurses, managers and other members of staff at the trusts.

Hospital staff also reported above average incidents of abuse from patients and their families.

The report said: “Twenty-nine per cent of staff had experienced harassment, bullying or abuse from patients, service users or their relatives in the previous 12 months. The trust’s score of 29 per cent was in the highest 20 per cent of acute trusts in England. The trust’s 2007 score has not changed significantly since the 2006 survey, when 27 per cent gave this response.”

At the care trust, reported abuse was among the lowest 20 per cent of PCTs nationally.

Stress levels were higher than average at both trusts, with BCT in the top 20 per cent.

The working atmosphere at the trusts differed widely.

While staff at QMS reported an above average positive feeling at the hospital compared to most acute trusts in England, staff at BCT were more negative.

Despite the prospect of Queen Mary’s Hospital losing its A&E and maternity units under a shake-up of services across outer south east London, QMS scored well on communication, staff involvement, innovation and patient care.

Only a third of all staff questioned at QMS returned the survey, a poor response rate compared to the national average.

More than half of all staff questioned at BCT responded, still below average.