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Publication, Part of

NHS Sickness Absence Rates, January 2025

Official statistics

Current Chapter

NHS Sickness Absence Rates, January 2025


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 January 2025

The overall sickness absence rate for England was 5.7%. This has remained unchanged since December 2024 (5.7%) but is slightly higher than January 2024 (5.5%).

Regional and organisational type variation

The North West region reported the highest sickness absence rate in January 2025 at 6.7%, remaining unchanged since December 2024 (6.7%).

London reported the lowest sickness absence rate in January 2025 at 5.0%, remaining unchanged since December 2024 (5.0%).

 

Ambulance Trusts had the highest sickness absence rate at 7.5% in January 2025, decreasing since December 2024 (8.1%). Commissioning Support Units had the lowest sickness absence rate at 3.6%, falling slightly since December 2024 (3.7%).

Staff group differences

Support to ambulance staff reported the highest sickness absence rate in January 2025 at 8.9%, decreasing since December 2024 (9.6%).

 

Senior managers reported the lowest sickness absence rate in January 2025 at 2.1%.

Reason for sickness absence

Anxiety/stress/depression/other psychiatric illnesses was the most reported reason for sickness, accounting for over 638,900 full time equivalent days lost and 24.7% of all sickness absence in January 2025. This has fallen since December 2024 (26.0%).




Last edited: 29 May 2025 10:47 am