Skip to main content

Publication, Part of

NHS Sickness Absence Rates, February 2023

Official statistics

Publication Date:
29 Jun 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 28 Feb 2023

Current Chapter

NHS Sickness Absence Rates, February 2023

View all

Next Chapter

Classification of Statistics
Page contents

Summary

NHS Sickness Absence Rates, February 2023

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. 

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 February 2023

The overall sickness absence rate for England was 5.0%. This is lower than January 2023 (5.3%) and is lower than February 2022 (5.6%).

Regional and organisational type variation

The North West region reported the highest sickness absence rate in February 2023 at 5.7%, lower than their rate in January 2023 (6.4%). The London region reported the lowest sickness absence rate in February 2023 at 4.4%, remaining unchanged since January 2023.

Ambulance Trusts had the highest sickness absence rate at 7.0% in February 2023, decreasing since January 2023 (7.6%). Integrated Care Boards had the lowest sickness absence rate at 2.9%, falling slightly from January 2023 (3.1%).

Staff group differences

Support to ambulance staff reported the highest sickness absence rate in February 2023 at 8.4%, falling since January 2023 (9.1%).

Consultants, Other and Local HCHS Doctor Grades and Senior Managers reported the lowest rate in February 2023, at 1.7% each.

Reason for sickness absence

Anxiety/stress/depression/other psychiatric illnesses was the most reported reason for sickness, accounting for over 469,750 full time equivalent days lost and 24.6% of all sickness absence in February 2023. This has increased slightly since January 2023 (23.3%).

Last edited: 29 June 2023 9:31 am