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Publication, Part of

NHS Sickness Absence Rates, August 2022

Official statistics

Publication Date:
5 Jan 2023
Geographic Coverage:
England
Geographical Granularity:
NHS Trusts, Hospital Trusts, Ambulance Trusts, Mental Health Trusts, Regions, Clinical Commissioning Groups
Date Range:
30 Apr 2009 to 31 Aug 2022

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NHS Sickness Absence Rates, August 2022

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Classification of Statistics
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Summary

NHS Sickness Absence Rates, August 2022

Key Facts

This report shows monthly sickness absence rates of NHS Hospital and Community Health Services (HCHS) staff working in NHS Trusts and other core organisations and NHS Support Organisations and Central Bodies. Data is presented by NHS England region, ICS area, organisation, organisation type, staff group and reason for sickness absence. 

 

Notice of change

Due to resourcing issues, quarterly and annual sickness absence tables will no longer be produced. This will take effect from the end of January 2023.

 

We welcome feedback on the methodology and tables within this publication. Please email us with your comments and suggestions, clearly stating NHS Sickness Absence as the subject heading, via [email protected] or 0300 303 5678.

NHS Absence rates in August 2022

The overall sickness absence rate for England was 5.0%. This is lower than July 2022 (6.1%) and slightly lower than August 2021 (5.1%).

Regional and organisational type variation

The North West region reported the highest sickness absence rate in August 2022 at 5.9%, this is lower than their rate in July 2022 (6.8%). The London and South East regions reported the lowest sickness absence rate in August 2022 at 4.4%, this is lower than their rates in July 2022 (5.3% and 5.6% respectively).

Ambulance Trusts had the highest sickness absence rate at 7.4% in August 2022, this has decreased since July 2022 (8.7%). Integrated Care Boards had the lowest sickness absence rate at 2.7%.

Staff group differences

Support to ambulance staff reported the highest sickness absence rate in August 2022 at 8.8%, this is lower than July 2022 (10.1%).

Foundation Doctor Year 1 reported the lowest rate at 1.2% in August 2022, decreasing since July 2022 (3.0%).

Reason for sickness absence

Anxiety/stress/depression/other psychiatric illnesses is consistently the most reported reason for sickness absence, accounting for over 521,600 full time equivalent days lost and 25.5% of all sickness absence in August 2022. This has increased since July 2022 (20.9%).

Last edited: 5 January 2023 9:43 am