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RCN: Effective absence management could cut sickness rates

A nursing group has said NHS Trusts must improve their absence management procedures if they are to cut down on the number of staff missing work with stress and depression.

In the Lothians in Scotland, 862 nurses and midwives have been on sick leave with stress, depression or anxiety-related illness over the past 18 months.

Lynn MacDowall, Lothians officer for the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Scotland, said the figures - which were released to the Scotsman under the Freedom of Information Act - are concerning.

She called on healthcare providers to improve their absence management procedures in a bid to help staff get back to work quicker.

"It is critical that staff who are experiencing difficulties get the support they need from their employer," Ms MacDowall said.

Effective absence management was cited earlier this month as the reason for the drop in sickness rates at Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation.

The Warrington Guardian reported that absence rates through ill health fell to 4.95 per cent in 2008-09, down from 5.21 per cent in 2007-08.