This briefing examines the local variation and cost of sickness absence to primary care trusts, NHS trusts and foundation trusts. It sets out where organisations can find more help and advice in cutting sickness absence rates.
We found that levels of staff sickness absence in the NHS vary dramatically across the country, with the North of England showing the highest levels. By understanding and tackling the factors causing some of this variation, the NHS could increase staff productivity, improve morale and save £290 million.
To achieve this, we recommend that managers:
- review their organisation's sickness absence rates and benchmark against others
- identify specific staff groups with a particularly high sickness absence rate
- calculate the cost of sickness absence to their organisation
- consider whether their organisation could reduce its sickness absence and what savings could be made
The briefing points to the guidance available to help managers tackle sickness absence. A number of Audit Commission tools can also help NHS organisations improve efficiency and manage their sickness absence. For more information email nhsefficiency@audit-commission.gov.uk