THE news that only 48 per cent of staff working at East Lancashire’s hospitals would be happy to have a friend or a relative treated in them is very concerning.

The finding was part of a staff survey carried out on behalf of the Care Quality Commission, the independent regulator of health and social care in England.

It asked hospitals across the country to hand out the same survey to members of staff to get a snapshot of how each was operating. In several categories, the trust which runs Royal Blackburn and Burnley General hospitals had improved on the previous year’s performance.

But other areas make worrying reading, including the fact that our trust was in the lowest 20 per cent in the country for staff recommending it as a place to work or receive treatment.

Hospital management must now take the results of this survey, both good and bad, to improve morale and communication with workers.

There is no doubt that both hospitals have excellent clinicians and dedicated nurses.

They need to feel appreciated by the trust that employs them and have the resources to do their jobs to the best of their abilities.