NHS crackdown is miracle cure for staff sickness rate

Published on Friday 3 June 2011 12:49

ABSENCE rates among NHS Lothian staff have gone from the among the worst to the best in the country after a tough crackdown on sicknote culture.

Last month's figures show sickness levels of only 3.6 per cent, the best ever recorded by NHS Lothian.

That takes the organisation in line with the private sector for average employee attendance, and comfortably the best health board in Scotland.

Statistics for health trusts in England also show a far higher absence rate as local bosses attempt to rid the health board of its "soft touch" reputation.

Last month the organisation, which has around 28,000 workers, announced it was to "hunt down" staff who played the system and took regular days off, and the message seems to have made an immediate impact.

However, unions - while in broad agreement with the strategy - have criticised director human resources Alan Boyter for being too aggressive with the language used.

Mr Boyter said: "This is an excellent result.

"3.6 per cent is the best figure we have ever recorded. However, we still have a way to go to drive out a culture of staff thinking they can take a day off whenever they feel like it.

"If you are unwell we will look after you. If you are just not coming to your work then we will find you and deal with the problem."

More than 250 of the worst absence offenders have already been targeted and had their history and health examined.

Of those, 11 have already been sacked, with a further 12 set to be dismissed and 65 workers have been given last warnings, while 28 have been sent for further examination.

Mr Boyter added: "We will now look at the next 250 and at attendance records over the last three years.

"Staff need to understand we will have zero tolerance of those who abuse the system."

What is more encouraging for NHS Lothian is the drop in short-term absentees - the most likely group to be feigning illness.

That fell to only two per cent, with the rest made up by the more believable long-term sickness victims, such as those suffering stress and serious illness.

The latest report by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development shows the average private sector absence rate in Britain is 3.6 per cent.

For public sector organisations, it is 4.2 per cent, and the absence rate across NHS Scotland is better than in England.

Tom Waterson, Unison's Lothian branch chairman, worked with Mr Boyter on developing the process. He said: "We are in favour of an approach of fairness and consistency. It is not fair on staff who do come to work, sometimes when they themselves are not well, that a small minority abuse the sick pay system.

"However, we do not agree with the language used by NHS Lothian. We are there to support people and won't be hunting anyone down."