The staff engagement survey, which was released yesterday, involved about half of the SDHB’s 4000 staff.
The survey found 82% of staff experienced others as "generally friendly and welcoming", and 78% believed patients were treated with respect and dignity.
About 1700 (78%) of respondents said they would stay in their job for the next 12 months.
SDHB organisational development executive director Mike Collins said the survey sent "some pretty clear messages".
"The idea is the survey will be annual so we can actually look at our progress and work on areas that need to be improved."
A smaller-scale survey was conducted in 2016, and this year’s results showed improvements in areas including staff friendliness, openness to new ideas and recommending the SDHB as a workplace.
Questions for this year’s survey were formulated by the Health Round Table.The round table questions were the same answered by staff at nine other New Zealand DHBs.
Comparisons with specific DHBs were not provided.
The survey revealed there were still "significant issues" around communication from leaders, and workplace bullying.
Improved communication from management was needed in all areas of the SDHB, he said.
"We will respond by having staff out on the floor, listening to the real issues and actually dealing with problems."
Monthly forums held by management for staff had begun.
Bullying was an issue faced by all health boards.
An anti-bullying programme had been developed to equip staff with the skills to address it, Mr Collins said.
SDHB staff survey
• 2153 respondents
• Survey ran from February 13 to March 12.
• 34% said they had felt bullied at work in the past 12 months.
• 41% did not believe leaders communicated well so they always knew what was going on.
• 32% did not believe they had the tools or resources needed to do their job properly.
• 66% said they would feel safe being a patient of the SDHB.
