'Shocking' figure of long-term sick leave in NHS staff

Published on Wednesday 17 June 2009 22:07

MORE than 3,000 NHS staff in Scotland are on long-term sick leave, it emerged yesterday.

A union leader branded the figure "shocking" and Labour called on the Scottish Government to mount an inquiry into absence in the NHS.

Figures on sickness levels were disclosed by Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon in a parliamentary written answer to Labour's Cathy Jamieson.

A total of 3,389 NHS workers were on long-term sick leave – defined as more than 28 days sickness absence – at the end of March.

The figures include paid and unpaid sick leave, and injuries from accidents or violence.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has the most workers – 975 – on long-term sick leave, followed by Lothian (415), Tayside (277), Grampian (275) and NHS Ayrshire and Arran (250).

Ms Jamieson said she was "deeply concerned" by the figures.

"The Scottish Government should launch an immediate inquiry to investigate why this figure is so high," she said.

"The NHS has a duty of care towards its employees and I am worried that demands for efficiency savings by the SNP have put unfair pressure on staff."