Publication, Part of NHS Sickness Absence Rates

NHS Sickness Absence Rates, August 2024

Official statistics

Publication Date:: 9 Jan 2025
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 Aug 2024

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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 August 2024

The overall sickness absence rate for England was 4.8%. This has fallen since July 2024 (5.2%) and decreased slightly since August 2023 (4.9%).

Regional and organisational type variation

The North West region reported the highest sickness absence rate in August 2024 at 5.6%, falling since July 2024 (6.0%).

The South East of England region reported the lowest sickness absence rate in August 2024 at 4.2%, decreasing since July 2024 (4.7%).

Ambulance Trusts had the highest sickness absence rate at 6.4% in August 2024, falling since July 2024 (6.7%). Integrated Care Boards had the lowest sickness absence rate at 3.2%, falling since July 2024 (3.6%).

Staff group differences

Support to ambulance staff reported the highest sickness absence rate in August 2024 at 7.4%, falling slightly since July 2024 (7.7%).

HCHS Doctors reported the lowest sickness absence rate in August 2024 at 1.7%.

Reason for sickness absence

Anxiety/stress/depression/other psychiatric illnesses was the most reported reason for sickness, accounting for 606,540 full time equivalent days lost and 28.5% of all sickness absence in August 2024. This has increased since July 2024 (26.3%).