Publication, Part of NHS Sickness Absence Rates

NHS Sickness Absence Rates, March 2024

Official statistics

Publication Date:: 25 Jul 2024
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 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 March 2024

The overall sickness absence rate for England was 4.7%. This has fallen slightly since February 2024 (5.1%) and decreased since March 2023 (5.0%).

Regional and organisational type variation

The North West region reported the highest sickness absence rate in March 2024 at 5.6%, decreasing since February 2024 (6.0%).

The London region reported the lowest sickness absence rate in March 2024 at 4.1%, decreasing slightly since February 2024 (4.4%).

Ambulance Trusts had the highest sickness absence rate at 6.5% in March 2024, decreasing since February 2024 (6.8%). Commissioning Support Units and Integrated Care Boards had the lowest sickness absence rate at 3.2%, falling slightly since February 2024 (3.4% and 3.6% respectively).

Staff group differences

Support to ambulance staff reported the highest sickness absence rate in March 2024 at 7.7%, decreasing since February 2024 (7.9%).

HCHS Doctors reported the lowest sickness absence rate in March 2024 at 1.9%.

Reason for sickness absence

Anxiety/stress/depression/other psychiatric illnesses was the most reported reason for sickness, accounting for over 572,400 full time equivalent days lost and 27.2% of all sickness absence in March 2024. This has increased since February 2024 (25.8%).