NATIONAL health staff working in Kennet and North Wiltshire and West Wiltshire Primary Care Trusts are to be asked for their views on their working lives.

The trusts will send questionnaires to 1,300 employees as part of the second national NHS staff survey.

The survey contains questions about work life balance, team working, job satisfaction, training, management and supervision, violence and health and safety.

New topics covered in this year's survey include whistle blowing, reasons for considering leaving, shift working and bank and agency staff.

A proportion of staff in every NHS trust in England will be invited to take part in the survey, about 370,000 in total.

Carol Clarke, joint chief executive of the trusts, said the views expressed by staff would be used to introduce improvements in working conditions.

She said: "The overall aim of the survey is to gather information that will improve the working lives of those who provide care for patients and, in so doing, help us all to provide even better care.

"I am urging all those staff who receive a questionnaire to take part in this important national survey. The survey will also provide an opportunity for us to benchmark ourselves against similar organisations and the national picture."

The survey results will be published by the Healthcare Commission in March 2005, together with a report of the overall national findings.