A RECORD number of staff left their posts at the Salisbury Trust last year, new figures show.

It comes as the number of resignations across England soared, with nursing, doctor and midwife trade unions highlighting poor pay and a lack of mental and physical support as critical reasons for the exodus.

NHS Digital figures, which are rounded to the nearest five, show around 365 NHS staff resigned from their roles at Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust in 2021-22.

This was up from approximately 240 in 2019-20 – the year leading up to the coronavirus pandemic – and the highest number since records began a decade earlier.

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Across the country, 140,000 staff members resigned last year – up from 99,000 the year before – while an average of 101,000 staff resigned annually in the nine years before the pandemic.

The figures cover medical and administration staff. A resignation does not necessarily mean the staff member has left the NHS altogether, as the figures also include any promotions and relocations.

A spokesperson for Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust said: "It is well documented that the NHS is under pressure and has been for some time.

"At Salisbury District Hospital, we are experiencing the same staffing shortages as our colleagues elsewhere.

"We have also had a number of staff members who had been due to retire stay on to support our response to the pandemic, thus deferring their retirement.

"That is why we have launched an extensive recruitment campaign across all professions, but especially for Healthcare Assistants, Administrators and Housekeepers, with a recent increase in our minimum pay rates and flexible working options."

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Stacey Hunter, CEO at Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust said: “Working for the NHS is a fabulous career. At times it can be tough, but it is incredibly rewarding.

"I have worked for the NHS for over 30 years having started my career as a nurse. 

"In all this time I have never regretted that decision. Being part of a fantastic team, delivering a vital public service and continuously improving our services to deliver outstanding care to our patients, is what drives me every single day to come to work.”

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