Absenteeism a problem for the NHS

19 Aug 09
Sickness rates among NHS staff are 50% higher than in the private sector, with more than 45,000 NHS workers calling in sick every day
By Helen Mooney

August 19 2009

Sickness rates among NHS staff are 50% higher than in the private sector, with more than 45,000 NHS workers calling in sick every day.

The interim findings of a Department of Health commissioned review, published today (August 19), looked into the health, welfare and habits of NHS staff. It found high rates of obesity, smoking, absenteeism and poor mental health.   
Annual NHS sickness levels average 10.7 days a year per employee compared with 6.4 in the private sector.

The review, led by Dr Steve Boorman, former GP and chief medical adviser to Royal Mail, found that the most common illnesses suffered by NHS staff were stress, musculoskeletal problems and mental health issues.

Boorman warned that NHS organisations had to do more to help staff stay healthy.  ‘Trusts that take health and wellbeing seriously perform constantly better on measures of quality, patient safety and efficiency.’

The audit showed that more than one in five staff members smoke, the same proportion as the general population, more than a third of the 1.4 million workers have moderate to very poor mental health, and more than three quarters of staff believe that their health affects patient care.

Responding to the findings, a DoH spokeswoman said: ‘The review is an important initiative which supports the ambitions set out in the NHS Constitution, in particular the staff pledge on health, wellbeing and safety.

‘It is hard to compare NHS sickness rates with other organisations and it is important to remember the unique nature of their work - there is no ready read across to other public or private sector employers.’

She added that it is a 24-hour-a-day service and staff often have to work in physically and psychologically stressful situations. 

‘The report makes a strong case for change, and we eagerly await the conclusion of Dr Boorman's review, and the final report and recommendations, which are due in the autumn,’ she added.

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