STAFF working in healthcare in south Essex claim staff numbers are so low they are unable to do their jobs properly.

The views of staff at the Southend and Castle Point and Rochford Clinical Commissioning Groups have been revealed in a report that explores how staff feel about their roles.

It reveals that 45 per cent of workers said that there is not enough staff in the organisation to do their jobs properly – an increase from 22 per cent two years earlier.

In addition, 73 per cent of staff said they are working extra unpaid hours and ten per cent of those admitted they work more than 11 unpaid hours each week.

The survey also revealed growing problems with harassment and bullying in the workplace with eight members of staff claimed to have been harassed, bullied or abused by their managers – double the number the previous year. Another ten said this had occurred with work colleagues.

In response to the problems, the commissioning groups said they will “review organisational priorities to ensure that work demands on individuals are realistic” and “discuss the results relating to bullying, harassment and violence at team meetings and one-to ones”.

More positive aspects of the survey show that 83 per cent of staff look forward to going to work – an increase of 27 per cent from the previous year.

The findings were based on responses from 48 staff members out of total workforce of 125.

The future of the commissioning group is increasingly uncertain as it has been revealed that a plan is in place for it to merge with clinical commissioning groups from across the south and mid Essex region.