- A large majority (87%) of trust leaders said they were extremely concerned about the impact of seasonal pressures over winter on their trust and local area.
- Trust leaders also highlighted strategies to prepare for winter (e.g. staff recruitment, capacity management and expansion, promotion of vaccination programmes, and working collaboratively across systems).
- Trust leaders highlighted staff availability leading to workforce shortages as one of the biggest risks to services over winter. Almost all (94%) trust leaders were extremely or moderately concerned about the current level of burnout across their workforce.
- 84% of trust leaders were very worried or worried about their trust having the capacity to meet demand for services.
- Just over half (51%) of trust leaders rated the current quality of healthcare provided by their local area as very high or high.
- Trust leaders reported their greatest concern in relation to their trust’s finances over the next year was insufficient funds (N.B. this piece of work did take place prior to the comprehensive spending review). Responses also reflected mixed confidence levels about the ability of Integrate Care Systems (ICSs) to successfully manage the allocation and distribution of funds to providers in 2022/23.
- A large number (85%) of trust leaders were very worried or worried about sufficient investment being made in social care in their local area. Over half (57%) of trust leaders were very worried or worried about whether sufficient investment is being made in public health and prevention in their local area. 22% of trust leaders were confident or very confident that support and infrastructure is in place locally to enable a more integrated service between primary care and secondary care.
- 43% of trust leaders were confident or very confident that plans to embed system working, via statutory ICSs, will support better collaboration between local partners and improve mutual aid. 41% were confident or very confident that these plans will support better outcomes for patients.
- Over half (52%) of trust leaders were very worried or worried about the national NHS leadership’s (Department of Health and Social Care and its arms-length bodies, including NHS England and NHS Improvement and its regional teams) support for the delivery of a sustainable service in their area. This is a slight improvement from 56% last year.
- The majority (78%) of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that tackling climate change and promoting sustainability in how they work is a priority for their trust in the next year.