24.07.13
Sickness absence up for NHS workers
NHS staff took 9.5 working days off sick last year, new statistics from the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) show.
The rate, which is an estimate based on the average worker, compares to 9.3 days off in 2011/12. Ambulance staff had the highest number of absences, 14.7. Hospital doctors took an average of 2.8 days off, while nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff took 10.6 and infrastructure support staff took 8.4.
The North East had the highest sickness absence rate, and the lowest paid were most likely to take more time off. London had the lowest rate, as did those in the highest pay band.
HSCIC chair Kingsley Manning said: “Today’s report offers a crucial insight into the level of sickness absence within the NHS and therefore provides a health check of the very professions which care for the sick within our society.
“As the NHS is one of the biggest employers in this country, this data is absolutely essential for health service employers locally and nationally, as well as the Government, to gain an insight into the many staff groups that keep the health service operational 365 days of the year.”
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