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Publication, Part of

NHS Sickness Absence Rates, February 2026

Official statistics

Publication Date:
28 May 2026
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 2026

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NHS Sickness Absence Rates, February 2026

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Summary

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.

Key Facts

NHS Absence rates in February 2026

The overall sickness absence rate for England was 5.4%. This has fallen slightly since January 2026 (5.7%) and is slightly higher than February 2025 (5.3%).

Regional and organisational type variation

The North West region reported the highest sickness absence rate in February 2026 at 6.1%, decreasing since January 2026 (6.6%).

The South East of England reported the lowest sickness absence rate in February 2026 at 4.8%, decreasing slightly since January 2026 (5.1%).

 

Ambulance Trusts had the highest sickness absence rate at 7.0% in February 2026, decreasing since January 2026 (7.7%). Commissioning Support Units had the lowest sickness absence rate at 3.6%, decreasing slightly since January 2026 (3.8%).

Staff group differences

Support to ambulance staff reported the highest sickness absence rate in February 2026 at 8.4%, decreasing since January 2026 (9.3%).

 

HCHS doctors reported the lowest sickness absence rate in February 2025 at 2.1%.

Reason for sickness absence

Anxiety/stress/depression/other psychiatric illnesses was the most reported reason for sickness, accounting for over 636,400 full time equivalent days lost and 28.5% of all sickness absence in February 2026 (down from 27.0% in January 2026).

Last edited: 28 May 2026 9:59 am