STAFF in East Lancashire hospitals feel more under pressure than before - and they are more likely to leave for new jobs, a survey has found.

Job satisfaction levels are falling and more feel they are working extra hours as the demands presented by their post increase, according to the latest NHS staff survey.

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the Royal Blackburn, Burnley General, Accrington Victoria and Rossendale hospitals, scores well in the poll for the number of appraisals conducted and personal development plans formulated for staff.

And the trust ranks above average, compared to other trusts, when it comes to training and flexible working options.

But the level of staff suffering harassment or bullying - from either patients, relatives or colleagues - has also risen from 2005 to 2006.

The survey also found that the trust was in the top 20 per cent of acute hospitals nationally for staff working extra hours, and those who felt under pressure due to work commitments.

The ratio of staff admitting that they intended to leave their jobs has also risen from 2005 to 2006.

Hospital bosses have now drawn up an action plan to deal with the main points raised in the survey, which was completed by more than 430 staff across all sites in East Lancashire.

It comes as staff are currently undergoing a large-scale three-month redundancy and redeployment process, affecting 130 posts.

This follows on from another major redeployment exercise in 2006 and the loss of dozens of beds at the Royal Blackburn and Burnley General sites, which also badly damaged staff morale.

The trust needs to save £15.6 million during the current financial year and the job losses are a key element of the savings plan.

The Lancashire Telegraph has reported how the trust is scaling down the bereavement counselling service, offered to patients and their relatives, as part of the cuts.

Hospital unions have also claimed there has been a lack of consultation over the job losses programme.

Caroline Collins, regional officer for the Royal College of Nursing, said she knew of at least one case where a hospital worker was undergoing her third redeployment process in just 12 months.

"There is a fair degree of staff fatigue now at all the changes which have been going on over the past few years," she said.

Management have pledged to review the caseloads for certain staff, drafted guidance about realistic' work levels and examine new ways of making staff feel valued, such as awards schemes.