CSS News

One of the questions we hear most often about the NHS Staff Survey is: “Is the staff survey confidential?”

The simple answer is yes.

The NHS Staff Survey is completely confidential. It is designed to give colleagues a safe space to share honest feedback about their experiences at work, helping us understand what is working well and where improvements are needed.

To help answer one of the questions we hear most often, Deputy Chief People Officer Juliette Tait has recorded a new “Safe to Say” video, explaining how the survey works and why colleagues can feel confident that their responses remain completely confidential.

How is my anonymity protected?

Every member of staff receives a unique survey ID. This means your name and contact details are not included with your survey responses.

The unique ID is used only by the independent survey provider, IQVIA, to issue reminders to colleagues who have not yet completed the survey. It is not used to identify your answers.

Importantly, no one at MFT can see whether you have completed the survey or view your individual responses.

Who sees my responses?

Completed surveys are submitted directly to IQVIA rather than to the Trust.

IQVIA analyses the results and provides reports to MFT in a way that protects the identity of every participant. Results are presented as overall scores, percentages and themes, never as identifiable individual responses.

To further protect confidentiality:

• No identifiable personal data is shared with MFT.
• Any names or identifying information included in free text comments are removed before reporting.
• Survey results are only reported for groups that meet the required anonymity thresholds.

How is my information handled?

IQVIA follows strict data protection standards and securely manages all survey information.

Details such as your role, department or directorate are used only to ensure the survey reaches the right people and to help analyse results at an organisational level. These details are never linked to your individual responses.

Once the survey process is complete:

• Anonymous data is used nationally to benchmark NHS organisations.
• Personal data is securely deleted.
• Paper survey forms are securely destroyed.

Be honest. Be heard.

The NHS Staff Survey is one of the most important ways for colleagues to influence improvement across the Trust. Your feedback helps shape decisions about staff experience, wellbeing, leadership, inclusion and workplace culture.

You can be open and honest with confidence. Your individual responses cannot be traced back to you.