Over the last few weeks we have been sharing stories from across #TeamCHFT on how teams have used the feedback from previous NHS Staff Survey results to improve the experiences for colleagues.

This week we hear from the Eye Clinic. Last year their divisional results from the survey showed that there was work to be done to help colleagues feel valued, respected by one another and have better working relationships.

In the last year, the team have:

• Introduced a ‘Vision Vault’. This is a drop box for ideas, suggestions, complaints and shout-outs from colleagues, which can be named or anonymous. The feedback is reviewed and responded to either in the team weekly newsletter, in post grad or in person which is helping colleagues feel included, informed and listened to.
• Post graduate audit sessions have been updated to introduce scheduled training for colleagues, with more relevant, interesting cases.
• Created an open-door policy for concerns, 1-2-1’s and any questions from colleagues.
• A recent questionnaire also asked colleagues what they want from their team and future managers which we will help to implement further improvements.

Clinical Manager for Orthoptics and Optometry, Emma Griffiths, said: “Change is a journey, we don’t always hit it spot on first time but colleagues are aware we are trying and it is definitely leading to improvements.

“One of our recent vision vault comments was: ‘Thank you for listening to us and making everyone feel heard. I also feel that eye clinic is a lot better to work in’. This comment made my day!

“Whilst we are still yet to make everyone happy all of the time, we certainly feel we are making some headway!”

The annual NHS Staff Survey is an anonymous survey which colleagues are asked to fill out each year, and looks at people's experiences of working at CHFT.