Reasons for sickness absence
When sickness absence is recorded on SSTS an absence reason has to be entered on to the system. The proportionate absence breakdown is shown in the chart below for all of the reasons for sickness absence that caused more than 1.0% of sickness absence.
The most commonly cited reason for sickness absence during the monitored period was “Anxiety/stress/depression/other psychiatric illnesses”, which caused 23.0% of all sickness absence, down from 27.0% the year before. The second most common reason, “Cold, cough, flu – influenza”” was much lower, accounting for 9.2% of hours lost to sickness absence.
In recognition of the impact of anxiety and stress on members of staff, be it work related or otherwise, and especially in light of COVID-19, NHS GJ has established a Health and Wellbeing Group and has produced a Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2020-2023. The Group identifies trends that impact on staff health and wellbeing, and implements measures to reduce any adverse effects of these.
The Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2020-2023 describes NHS GJ’s ambition to “be a leader in promoting and maintaining a healthy workplace and provide support for our people which maximises their health and wellbeing”. The strategy was approved in November 2020, with NHS GJ’s Health and Wellbeing Group supporting its delivery. The strategy focuses on a holistic approach to wellbeing, addressing the inter-connected elements of physical, mental, social and financial wellbeing.
The strategy is delivered through an annual delivery plan. The delivery plan describes how actions will be achieved, key stakeholders, key outputs, outcomes, timelines and evidence of measurement. Progress is presented by the Health and Wellbeing Group to the Executive Management Team, Staff Governance Group, Partnership Forum, and Staff Governance and Person Centred Committee. An annual update is provided, which focuses on monitoring objectives against outputs in the Strategy, and provides an updated annual plan. Specific project updates are shared with relevant committees or groups.
