The GMC NTS (National Training Surveys) are a way to better understand the quality of postgraduate medical training and education. However, the results can also give us insights into what it is like to work at certain Trusts. In healthcare more than any other profession, a positive work environment is crucial for both personal well-being and professional development.
The Work Environment Score
The Work Environment Score is a metric that encapsulates the collective experience of healthcare professionals within the NHS based on their responses to key metrics from the GMC NTS data. It provides a holistic view of the work environment, touching on aspects like workload, team dynamics, and institutional support.
The score reflects a weighted average of key indicators:
- Facilities (5% weightage): Quality and availability of equipment and spaces.
- Teamwork (10% weightage): The dynamics and cooperation among staff.
- Supportive Environment (15% weightage): Access to resources and emotional support.
- Work Load (15% weightage): Balance and manageability of the workload.
- Feedback (4% weightage): Systems in place for providing and receiving feedback.
- Clinical Supervision (10% weightage): Availability and quality of mentorship.
- Clinical Supervision - Out of Hours (10% weightage): Availability and quality of mentorship.
- Rota Design (8% weightage): Fairness and thoughtfulness of shift schedules.
- Reporting Systems (5% weightage): Efficiency of systems for reporting concerns.
- Handover Processes (5% weightage): Effectiveness of shift changeovers.
- Induction (5% weightage): Quality and comprehensiveness of induction programs.
- Adequate Experience (8% weightage): Experience gained while working here.
Creating metrics like this one and the Educational Training Score are ways we're trying to make it easier to understand the data allowing you to make a more informed choice. However, just having these metrics would be useless without the ability to use them.
So we created a data visualisation tool, too. It not only allows you to see the top and bottom trusts by their Work Environment Score or Educational Training Score, but it lets you pair either of these with a specialty, too.
For example, here are the top ten Trusts ranked by Work Experience Score when we filter by Haematology.
Top 10 Trusts in Haematology for 2023 by Work Experience Score
The bar chart below offers a concise visual representation of where different NHS trusts stand in terms of the combination of metrics above.
While the Work Environment Score is a powerful tool, it's not the sole factor to consider. The geographic location, cultural nuances, and personal career goals are also crucial. Moreover, different roles within the healthcare system might prioritise different aspects of the work environment.
Our score is a starting point for healthcare professionals to assess potential workplaces. We encourage a deep dive into each trust's specifics and perhaps a firsthand account from current employees to complement the numerical score.
If you'd like to see how Trusts rank with your Specialty or if you'd like to see how they rank in general, sign up here.