Less than half of staff at the trust running King George Hospital would be happy for their friends and family to be treated where they work, a survey has revealed.

The 2012 NHS Staff Survey showed that only 47 per cent of respondents from Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, which also operates Queen’s Hospital and several clinics, would be satisfied with the “standard of care” for their relatives.

The figure was an improvement on 2011’s survey, where only 39 per cent said yes to the same question, but still below the national average of 60 per cent.

The trust scored highly in other areas, including staff members’ belief that they made a difference to patients, the quality of care they can deliver and training.

But the survey revealed that 42 per cent of respondents have suffered from work-related stress in the last year and many experience violence, harassment and bullying from patients and the public.

But BHRUT chief executive Averil Dongworth said the results “showed improvements across the board”.

She added: “I am delighted that, at a time when we know our staff are working under considerable pressure, we have still seen improvements in job satisfaction.

“The staff survey is helpful in identifying where we need to focus our efforts in the coming year to improve the working life of our employees.

“We will continue to work hard to tackle issues raised such as reducing stress and ensuring effective team working.”