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Publication, Part of

NHS Sickness Absence Rates, March 2023

Official statistics

Publication Date:
27 Jul 2023
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 Mar 2023

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NHS Sickness Absence Rates, March 2023

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Classification of Statistics
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Summary

NHS Sickness Absence Rates, March 2023

Key Facts

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.

NHS Absence rates in March 2023

The overall sickness absence rate for England was 4.9%. This is slightly lower than February 2023 (5.0%) and is lower than March 2022 (6.0%).

Regional and organisational type variation

The North West region reported the highest sickness absence rate in March 2023 at 5.7%, remaining unchanged since February 2023. The London region reported the lowest sickness absence rate in March 2023 at 4.3%, falling slightly since February 2023 (4.4%).

Ambulance Trusts had the highest sickness absence rate at 6.7% in March 2023, decreasing since February 2023 (7.0%). Integrated Care Boards had the lowest sickness absence rate at 2.9%, remaining unchanged since February 2023.

Staff group differences

Support to ambulance staff reported the highest sickness absence rate in March 2023 at 8.1%, falling since February 2023 (8.4%).

Consultants reported the lowest sickness absence rate in March 2023 at 1.7%.

Reason for sickness absence

Anxiety/stress/depression/other psychiatric illnesses was the most reported reason for sickness, accounting for over 507,100 full time equivalent days lost and 24.2% of all sickness absence in March 2023. This has fallen slightly since February 2023 (24.6%).

Last edited: 27 July 2023 9:59 am