Published on: 12 March 2026
Staff working across the NHS in South Tyneside and Sunderland have rated their experience at work highly, with staff morale and engagement amongst the best in the region and higher than the NHS average across England.
The latest results of the 2025 NHS staff survey show South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust (STSFT) scoring above the NHS average across all seven parts of the NHS People Promise, showing that staff continue to feel supported and part of a caring workplace.
STSFT has once again been recognised as being the most flexible NHS employer in the North East and North Cumbria. Staff scored the Trust higher than all other acute and community providers in the region for its approach to flexible working, reflecting an ongoing commitment to support a healthy work-life balance for its workforce.
The NHS staff survey looks at how staff feel about their work, their teams and the culture around them. STSFT scored higher than the NHS average in all areas such as compassion and inclusivity, recognition, staff voice, health and wellbeing, learning, flexible working, teamwork.
Over 4,600 staff from STSFT gave their views, giving a response rate of 54%. This is higher than the national average of 50% and one of the highest response rates in the region.
Although overall scores dipped slightly from 2024 after a challenging year for the NHS nationally, the wider picture locally in South Tyneside and Sunderland is positive, with STSFT above the national average in every theme measured:
- We are compassionate and inclusive – 7.38 (7.28)
- We are recognised and rewarded – 6 (5.87)
- We each have a voice that counts – 6.75 (6.60)
- We are safe and healthy – 6.25 (6.07)
- We are always learning – 5.76 (5.57)
- We work flexibly – 6.37 (6.22)
- We are a team – 6.78 (6.75)
- Staff engagement – 6.80 (6.74)
- Morale - 6.07 (5.84)
These results suggest that staff feel valued and respected in their roles. Strong scores in teamwork, compassion and morale show that colleagues feel supported by each other and by the Trust. This helps staff give safe, high‑quality care and creates a workplace where people feel able to do their best.
Commenting on the results, Chief Executive, Ken Bremner MBE, said:
“I want to say thank you to every colleague who took the time to share their honest feedback with us. There is certainly a lot to be proud of but, as always, more work for us to do.
“Our vision is for excellence in all that we do and that starts with our staff experience. We know that a positive culture where staff feel safe, valued and able to perform their roles well, leads to better teamwork, higher morale and ultimately better care for patients.
“It has been another demanding year for our staff who continue to go above and beyond to put the care of our patients first. This speaks volumes about the pride they have in their work, the NHS as a whole and the quality of care we deliver her every day at STSFT.
“Listening to our staff and acting on what they tell us remains central to our commitment to looking after our people and being an inclusive organisation.”
The results for STSFT reflect the Trust’s ambition to build a workplace where all colleagues can thrive and where compassion guides everyday practice.
