Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has been rated the third best acute hospital trust in the national NHS Staff Survey results — and for the third consecutive year it is also the best in the Midlands.

The trust, which runs King’s Mill Hospital, Sutton; Newark Hospital; and Mansfield Community Hospital, is in the Acute/Acute and Community Trust category, which contains 128 trusts.

Chief executive Richard Mitchell said: “I’m proud that we have continued to improve in our staff survey results for the fifth consecutive year. This is good news for patients and communities because we know listening to, supporting and including colleagues in decision making will mean better care for patients.

“The findings from the survey show what a great place Sherwood is to work and that our priority of looking after each other makes a real difference.”

Holly Beacroft, a critical care nurse at King’s Mill who has been working through the pandemic caring for Covid positive patients, said: “It has been such a difficult year for all of our colleagues, but it genuinely feels like we are part of a team all pulling together and to know the Trust cares about me as a person and my wellbeing and welfare goes a long way.

“It helps me to focus on what’s most important – caring for patients!”

Sherwood Forest Hospitals’ director of culture and improvement, Emma Challans, added: “We’re extremely proud of what the results from the most recent survey say about our hospitals and the colleagues that work here.

“The results indicate that colleagues feel safe, cared for and part of a team where patient care is our top priority. We are confident that Sherwood is a great place to work and receive care and once again our survey has shown substantial improvements in many key areas.  I want to say thank you to each and every person that works across Sherwood Forest Hospitals, our volunteers and partners.

“Whilst dealing with a national pandemic we have continued to hold dearly our values and increase our offers of support in wellbeing, flexible working and keeping patients safe. Our mission is to continually engage, listen and take every reasonable action to optimise Sherwood as a great place to work and receive care.

“Finally, I would like to recognise our community and members of the public for their help and support the last 12 months. We know that having one of the best acute hospitals in the country, here on your doorstep and led by highly skilled and compassionate professionals, means a lot. We pride ourselves on a positive culture of engagement both within the organisation and outside of it and our community play a key part in this. Thank you.”