Blackpool Fylde and Wyre NHS Hospitals Foundation Trust

CONTENTED STAFF AT Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust feel valued by colleagues, get the training they need and have a good work-life balance. Established in December 2007, the trust serves the 330,000 residents of Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre and the 12m holidaymakers who visit the area every year. Its workforce thinks the trust provides a great service, returning a positive score of 78%, and they are proud to work for it (72%). The 4,300 staff at seven sites believe they can make a difference within the organisation (71%) as well as a valuable contribution to its success (74%). Mandatory training, external conferences and courses, practical training on subjects such as moving and handling, and a leadership management programme are among the opportunities to learn and grow. The average spend per head on training is £400 and employees find it of great benefit (63%, a top 15 score for the 50 mid-sized firms on our list). They say the work is good for their own growth (72%), the job is stimulating (71%) and they are clear about what is expected of them (69%). The trust gets the fifth highest score for workers feeling that all their skills are being used (53%). Success is celebrated with an awards evening and £500 for the winning department. There are also employee of the month prizes and 100% attendance awards and the chairman sends out thank-you cards and letters to recognise special contributions. More than three-quarters of people at the Blackpool-based trust earn £25,000 or less with the average salary of a staff nurse being just over £21,200. Benefits include an on-site crèche, an employee assistance programme and a contributory pension into which the organisation puts 14% of pay. Work is an important part of who staff members are (75%, a top 10 score), they have fun with their colleagues (73%) and say their job doesn't interfere with responsibilities at home (64%). www.bfwhospitals.nhs.uk