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Publication, Part of

NHS Sickness Absence Rates, December 2024

Official statistics

Publication Date:
24 Apr 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 Dec 2024

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NHS Sickness Absence Rates, December 2024

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Summary

This report shows monthly sickness absence rates of 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 December 2024

The overall sickness absence rate for England was 5.7%. This has increased since November 2024 (5.4%) and is slightly higher than December 2023 (5.5%).

Regional and organisational type variation

The North West region reported the highest sickness absence rate in December 2024 at 6.7%, rising slightly since November 2024 (6.3%).

London and South East of England reported the lowest sickness absence rate in December 2024 at 5.0% each, rising slightly since November 2024 (4.8% each).

 

Ambulance Trusts had the highest sickness absence rate at 8.1% in December 2024, increasing since November 2024 (7.1%). Commissioning Support Units had the lowest sickness absence rate at 3.7%, falling slightly since November 2024 (3.8%).

Staff group differences

Support to ambulance staff reported the highest sickness absence rate in December 2024 at 9.6%, rising since November 2024 (8.3%).

 

HCHS Doctors reported the lowest sickness absence rate in December 2024 at 2.1%.

Reason for sickness absence

Anxiety/stress/depression/other psychiatric illnesses was the most reported reason for sickness, accounting for over 676,000 full time equivalent days lost and 26.0% of all sickness absence in December 2024. This has fallen slightly since November 2024 (26.6%).

Last edited: 24 April 2025 9:31 am