Skip to main content

Publication, Part of

NHS Sickness Absence Rates, January 2023

Official statistics

Publication Date:
25 May 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 Jan 2023

Current Chapter

NHS Sickness Absence Rates, January 2023

View all

Next Chapter

Classification of Statistics
Page contents

Summary

NHS Sickness Absence Rates, January 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 January 2023

The overall sickness absence rate for England was 5.3%. This is lower than December 2022 (6.3%) and is lower than January 2022 (6.7%).

Regional and organisational type variation

The North West region reported the highest sickness absence rate in January 2023 at 6.4%, lower than their rate in December 2022 (7.4%). The London region reported the lowest sickness absence rate in January 2023 at 4.4%, decreasing since December 2022 (5.4%).

Ambulance Trusts had the highest sickness absence rate at 7.6% in January 2023, decreasing since December 2022 (9.0%). Commissioning Support Units and Integrated Care Boards had the lowest sickness absence rate at 3.1% each.

Staff group differences

Support to ambulance staff reported the highest sickness absence rate in January 2023 at 9.1%, falling since December 2022 (10.7%).

Consultants reported the lowest rate at 1.6% in January 2023, decreasing slightly since December 2022 (1.9%).

Reason for sickness absence

Anxiety/stress/depression/other psychiatric illnesses was the most reported reason for sickness, accounting for over 520,470 full time equivalent days lost and 23.3% of all sickness absence in January 2023. This has increased since December 2022 (20.8%).

Last edited: 25 May 2023 9:32 am