Highfield Hospital one of five independent hospitals ranked the “best places to work” according to regional workforce survey

Highfield Hospital, Rochdale

Rochdale’s Highfield Hospital has been recognised amongst the ‘best places to work’ in the country in a UK-wide employee survey.

The local private hospital has been named alongside four other hospitals operated by Circle Health Group.

The list is published by UK workplace engagement and recognition provider, Best Companies. The independent organisation evaluates employers across three categories: engagement, leadership and workplace culture.  

This comes off the back of a string of ‘good’ ratings from the hospital regulator for the quality and safety of care, as well as best in class patient outcomes at each hospital.   

Launched in 2001, the survey is recognised as the gold-standard accreditation for small, medium and large businesses across the UK. It is the only survey of its kind to accurately measure staff engagement levels. The survey generates a score on a fixed scale of 0 to 1,000, allowing the organisation to be ranked. 

The results are based on employees' experiences and is compiled voluntarily through anonymous feedback on the leadership, culture and support available to them. 

The hospital’s results revealed that employees felt supported by the hospital’s senior management team and had extensive opportunities available to them for continued professional and personal development. Crucially, staff felt that they were listened to and were included in helping to shape the culture and direction of the business.  

Circle Health Group, which operates 54 hospitals across the UK, has been ranked in the top five best big companies to work for in quarter three (Q3) of 2023. In addition, the hospital operator also placed second in the Q3 top 5 best health and social care companies to work for nationally. 

David Cooper, chief people officer of Circle Health Group, said: “Our people are at the heart of what makes Circle Health Group.

“To be ranked as one of the top five best companies to work for in the UK, as well as placing second in the health and social care category is an outstanding achievement. I couldn’t be prouder of our people and culture.”