STAFF at Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (MCHFT) are among the happiest NHS workers in the country, according to results from a national survey.

The Trust, which manages, Victoria Infirmary in Northwich, Leighton Hospital in Crewe and Elmhurst Intermediate Care Centre in Winsford, is celebrating after achieving the best results of all acute trusts in the 2016 NHS Staff Survey.

MCHFT has been rated in the top 20 per cent in 16 out of 32 areas, including staff recommending the organisation as a place to work or receive treatment.

It’s also in the top 20 per cent for staff motivation at work, staff agreeing that their role makes a difference to patients, and staff ability to contribute towards improvements at work.

Staff have also rated the Trust in the lowest (best) 20 per cent for employees working extra hours, as well as staff feeling unwell due to work-related stress.

The Trust, which was ranked fifth out of all acute trusts in 2015, placed ‘better than average’ in another 11 areas, ‘average’ in four and ‘below average’ in just one.

Tracy Bullock, MCHFT chief executive, said: “We are extremely proud of these results and of our dedicated and compassionate workforce.

“This national survey shows that our staff are engaged and motivated, which helps us to deliver first-class care in our hospitals and in the local community.

“The survey also identifies areas where we can improve and we will be looking at the results very closely to ensure further improvements are made for the benefit of our staff and patients alike.”

The annual staff survey is commissioned by the Department of Health and involves randomly-selected staff answering questions about their trust as an employer and healthcare provider.

More than 420,000 workers from 316 NHS organisations completed the latest survey, which is the biggest response achieved in its 14 year history and shows another year of improvements.

MCHFT chairman Dennis Dunn said: “Really great leadership is evident at all levels of Mid Cheshire Hospitals, as well as in the senior teams.

“Most gratifying of course, beyond our number one ranking, is the performance and support of our brilliant staff and our belief that a genuine commitment and aspiration to achieve excellence really benefits our patients.”