Speeches

Baroness Greengross – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Greengross on 2015-11-18.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many days were lost through the sickness of healthcare workers in each year between 2009 and 2014.

Lord Prior of Brampton

The number of days lost through the sickness of healthcare workers between 2009 and 2014 were:

England

Full Time Equivalent Days Lost to Sickness Absence (includes non-working days)

Full Time Equivalent Days Available (includes non-working days)

Sickness Absence Rate

2009-10

16,745,315

380,199,666

4.40%

2010-11

15,947,054

383,278,845

4.16%

2011-12

15,555,507

377,908,880

4.12%

2012-13

15,947,518

376,187,354

4.24%

2013-14

15,385,468

378,691,376

4.06%

2014-15

16,423,722

386,388,483

4.25%

Source: Health and Social Care Information Centre

The Government does not record the cost incurred by the National Health Service due to days lost through the sickness of healthcare workers.

Employers are responsible for reducing the days lost through sickness of their staff. The Department supports the NHS by commissioning NHS Employers to provide trusts with advice, guidance and good practice on improving NHS staff health and wellbeing which is available on an online only resource at:

www.nhsemployers.org/your-workforce/retain-and-improve/staff-experience/health-work-and-wellbeing/protecting-staff-and-preventing-ill-health/supporting-line-managers/managers-guide-on-supporting-workplace-mental-health/supporting-staff-who-are-experiencing-mental-health-problems

NHS Employers is also working with NHS England and Public Health England on a £5 million initiative to improve NHS staff health announced in its Five Year Forward View. A copy of the ‘A healthy NHS workforce’ announcement is attached.