Better management of sickness absence has saved the NHS in Wales £6 million a year in staff time but more progress can be made

The National Assembly for Wales Audit Committee today published its report on the management of sickness in NHS Wales.  The report is a follow-up to its 2004 inquiry into the issue, and concludes that sickness absence management arrangements have improved over recent years.

The Committee found that where trusts have focused particular attention and resources on this issue then it has been possible to reduce sickness absence rates.  

Overall, NHS trusts’ average annual rate of sickness absence stabilised at between 5.3 and 5.4 per cent in the period from April 2004 to March 2008, compared with the 6.0 per cent figure reported previously for 2002-03. This reduction in absence is estimated to have generated extra staff time in work worth £6 million a year and should also have helped to avoid some additional expenditure on replacement staff, such as agency nurses.

The Committee concluded that the NHS reorganisation presents an opportunity to drive forward further improvements and consistency of approach in the management of sickness absence, building on the general progress made over the past five years.  However, if badly managed, the reorganisation could result in an increase in sickness absence by exacerbating problems with morale and workforce engagement and increasing stress.  

Jonathan Morgan, Chair of the Audit Committee said ‘the Committee recognises that there are circumstances peculiar to the NHS that may contribute to high levels of absence but it is nonetheless important that this is managed well.  High levels of sickness absence are not good for staff, the NHS or the patients it serves, and managers should be mindful of that fact during the forthcoming reorganisation process.”