Leap in mental health absences among NHS staff

According to data shared with HSJ, the amount of NHS staff taking time off for their mental health has leapt in the past few months. The data, collected by FirstCare and covering 46,000 NHS staff from nine trusts, showed mental health absences from May to June of this year was at least 20 per cent up on April and 35 per cent up on February with more than 40 per cent up on the same months last year. 

“Trust leaders remain acutely aware of the impact that the pandemic, coupled with existing NHS pressures, is having on the workforce. They are deeply concerned about their staff’s mental health and wellbeing and are doing what they can to look after their staff, but they cannot do this sustainably without a fully costed and funded multi-year workforce plan.” Said NHS Providers chief executive Chris Hopson. 

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Source: HSJ, 6 August 2021