TWO MAJOR findings bring both good and bad news to Basingstoke hospital this week.

A national survey ranks North Hampshire Hospital in the top 20 hospitals with the highest survival rates in the country.

The survey, of all NHS trusts in the UK and Republic of Ireland, put the hospital at number 17 in the survival stakes - performing 12 per cent better than expected.

But, at the same time, a second survey has revealed stressed staff do not think their bosses appreciate the pressure they work under and believe they deserve more money.

Some 1,600 staff were surveyed in June and 51 per cent responded in the first such exercise in the history of the hospital.

Peter Smith, the survey manager, said the majority of staff replying felt the stress from an excessive workload was not being "dealt with" by hospital management.

The survey also revealed "a great feeling" that flexible working practices were being introduced for part-time staff at the expense of full-time staff.

Half of the respondents said they were working more than their contractual hours.

Mr Smith said: "Unsurprisingly, staff did not feel fairly paid by comparison with other local employment."

And six per cent thought they had been shouted at or humiliated.

He said 106 staff had reported such incidents last year.

Although the numbers were small, Mr Smith believes the issue should be tackled.

Among many positive results was the 77 per cent of staff who were not looking for another job and half said it was "a good place to work".

Heidi French, the Royal College of Nursing steward, said the survey had many positive results, but she was concerned about bullying.

She said: "I feel strongly that the figure should be zero. If you are one of the six per cent it is unacceptable. It is incredible that we are in the 21st Century and people are still being bullied by their bosses."

She said the staff side of the hospital consultative committee would be working closely with managers to overcome stress and bullying problems.

Donna Green, director of workforce development,promised investment in training for non-clinical staff and better bus links to town.

She said a scheme to improve the residences was being considered under which a housing association would take them over and run them.