According to new figures released for 2022, we have entered a period of record high NHS staff sickness.
The overall proportion of days lost due to absence was 5.6% of all working days, accounting for the equivalent loss of 75,000 members of staff within the year. This has exceeded the peak of the 2020-2021 pandemic years and a 29% rise on the 2019 rate.
There were also big rises recorded in coughs, colds, infections and respiratory problems. If categories listing illnesses were to be combined and reported as one, the figures would exceed illnesses caused by mental health issues.
The report also acknowledged that the “seemingly unsustainable cycle” of staff facing increased workloads, becoming burnt out and then leaving as a result. This analysis for BBC News has been reported ahead of the government and NHS England’s upcoming workforce plan.
A Nuffield Trust senior fellow, Dr. Billy Palmer, stated:
“The health service is grappling with a difficult new normal when it comes to staff sickness leave.
“There has been a lot of focus on recruitment but we need more endeavour to improve the working conditions of existing staff and protect them from illness.
“The workforce plan needs to have concrete support to enable employers to improve NHS staff experience if the service is to break this cycle of staff absences, sickness and leaving rates.”
The sickness rate, which is at its highest point since records began in 2020, exceeds even the public sector average of 3.6% of absences. The Nuffield Trust stated that this was likely to be below the true figure, as not all absences would have been recorded.
Though recording methods differ in Scotland and Wales, it is also apparent that the trend continues in those two territories.
Unison’s head of Health, Sara Gorton, stated:
“Until the NHS has sufficient employees to care for and treat all the people needing its help, absence levels will keep going through the roof. If there’s to be a healthy NHS, it first needs a healthy workforce.”
Further reading
When might I need (or consider) legal help regarding workplace stress? An employee checklist – Oakwood Solicitors
Stress at Work – Oakwood Solicitors
WHAT TO DO NEXT
If work worries are getting the better of you and your employer isn’t listening, speak to our Stress at Work team today on 0113 200 9720, or choose one of the methods on the right-hand side of this page to find out how we can help.
Jessica Rowson started as a Paralegal at Oakwood Solicitors in July 2010, qualifying as a Solicitor in September 2013. Following her qualifying as a Solicitor, Jessica established a niche department …
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