REGIONAL MP James McMurdock has raised concerns following the publication of the latest NHS Staff Survey, which gathered responses from more than 760,000 NHS employees across England – and he has put particular focus on Basildon Hospital which he says is becoming increasingly prominent in his mailbox with residents raising many issues.

The MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock says a review is 'urgently required' as the trust that runs the hospital, South and Mid Essex Hospital Trus, is one of the worst performing in the country.

"These concerns are particularly relevant locally at Basildon Hospital, where residents and staff continue to raise issues with my office around waiting times and pressures on frontline services.

The recent survey highlights growing pressures within the health service, with significant numbers of staff reporting work-place stress, staff shortages and a lack of basic equipment needed to carry out their roles.

Among the findings, only 32% of staff said they felt there were enough staff at their organisation for them to do their job properly, while 56% reported that they did not have the adequate materials or equipment to do their work.

The survey also found that 42% of NHS staff said they had felt unwell as a result of work-related stress.

Mr McMurdock says those are common issues at Basildon Hospital, saying: "Whistleblowers have told my office that staff numbers within middle management have ballooned while front line staff are stretched to breaking.

"Even with historic backlogs, operating theatres are under-utilised because of poor hospital procedure. Broken equipment goes unmended for great lengths of time because of convoluted contracts and procurement processes.

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"Nationally the figures paint a worrying picture of the pressures being faced by NHS staff across the country. Our healthcare workers are being asked to deliver vital services under increasingly difficult conditions, often without the staffing levels or resources they need.

"It is clear that many NHS staff remain dedicated to their patients despite the immense strain they are under. Goodwill alone cannot sustain a healthcare system indefinitely.

"If we want to retain skilled healthcare professionals and improve patient outcomes, we must ensure that NHS staff are properly supported, equipped and are listened to. Workforce shortages and burnout are not isolated problems, they are systemic challenges which are impacting our health service."

Mr McMurdock is calling for greater focus on frontline staffing levels and a review of how bureaucracy is impacting working conditions for NHS employees and patient care alike.