BMA calls for more positive working culture for Scottish NHS staff

The British Medical Association (BMA) has called on Scottish health boards to do more to listen to and involve staff in improving the quality and sustainability of NHS care provision.

Its comments came in response to the recent publication of the 2013 NHS Staff Survey, which showed an overall fall in the levels of satisfaction, despite staff still demonstrating a significant level of commitment to their work.

Of those polled, 87 percent said they are willing to go the extra mile and 75 percent feel they get help and support from colleagues. However, poor engagement and involvement of staff by boards and a failure to listen was a recurring complaint.

In particular, Scottish NHS staff were shown to be reticent to speak out against bullying, discrimination or cases of violence or aggression, suggesting a significant culture change is necessary.

Dr Brian Keighley, chairman of the BMA in Scotland, said: "The survey results demonstrate the huge commitment of NHS staff to deliver high-quality patient care and their stated willingness to go the extra mile should be valued by the NHS."

This comes after the BMA launched a new poster campaign in Scotland last month to raise patient awareness of the local services available in the run-up to Christmas.