ONLY 16 per cent of staff at Great Western Ambulance Service would recommend the trust as a place to work, a survey has revealed.

The ambulance trust, which covers Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, South Gloucestershire and Bristol, did not fare well in a national NHS staff survey, published by the Healthcare Commission.

Results released last week showed only four per cent of those surveyed said there was good staff communication between senior management at GWAS and 14 per cent of staff said they felt there were good opportunities to develop their skills.

The survey, which was carried out between October and December last year, also showed that staff are working extra hours, 85 per cent said in an average week they work longer than their contracted hours.

In some areas the trust had improved. Staff reported less physical violence from patients, down to 17 per cent from 24 per cent in 2007 and the number of staff experiencing harassment or bullying had also fallen.

The survey, which is thought to be the largest survey of staff in the world, did show that 84 per cent of staff at GWAS agreed their job was interesting and 80 per cent felt valued by their work colleagues.

Commenting on the survey results, GWAS human resources director Kerry Pinker said: "Since the survey was carried out in October, GWAS as an organisation and as an employer has changed significantly.

"The positive perception and views of our staff are vital if we are to deliver the highest levels of patient care and we are determined to continue the hard work to maintain the welcome improvements identified in this survey."

The Healthcare Commission surveyed 160,000 workers from all 390 NHS trusts.

Anna Walker, the Commission's chief executive, said: "We know that a good working environment for staff means better care for patients. Infection control, work-related stress and harassment and abuse by patients have been tough nuts to crack for the NHS.

"This survey shows real progress is being made to tackle some of the issues that impact negatively on NHS staff.

"There are real lessons to be learnt from this survey about leadership, management and team work. Staff feel informed, but not involved in decisions that affect their working life and don't feel valued by their trust.

"Trusts should be studying their results, comparing themselves with similar NHS organisations and identifying opportunities to make real and lasting improvements to the working lives of their staff."