Impact of sickness absence in the NHS

This report finds that sickness absence in the NHS has reached unsustainable levels at rates nearly three times higher than the private sector. Based on Freedom of Information requests to NHS Trusts and Integrated Care Boards, analysis of NHS workforce data, and interviews with occupational health and HR professionals, the report concludes that sickness management in the NHS is financially unsustainable, operationally damaging and ultimately unfair to both patients and staff. It calls for a modernisation and overhaul of the way the NHS manages sickness absence and makes a number of recommendations.