New study reveals psychiatric illnesses as leading cause of NHS staff absences

New research by personal injury experts at Claims.co.uk has revealed that psychiatric illnesses are the leading cause of NHS staff absences. The study examined NHS data from December 2023 and found that 5.5% of staff were off sick during the period studied, with psychiatric illnesses accounting for 25.6% of these absences. These illnesses include anxiety, stress, and depression.

According to Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England, one in four people experience mental health issues each year in the UK, and 792 million people are affected by poor mental health worldwide. Mental illness is the second-largest source of disease in England, significantly impacting NHS staff due to the high demand and pressure of their working environment.

Influenza, colds, and coughs were the second most common cause of absences, accounting for 15.3% of cases. Given the contagious nature of these illnesses, it is essential for NHS staff to take time off to prevent further infection.

Musculoskeletal problems were the third most common reason, affecting 8.2% of employees. These conditions, which include issues with joints, bones, muscles, and associated tissues, are prevalent due to the physically demanding nature of NHS work.

Other significant causes of absences included gastrointestinal problems (7.3%), various known causes (6%), injury fractures (4.5%), back problems (3.9%), endocrine and glandular problems along with genitourinary and gynaecological disorders (3.2%), infectious diseases and unknown causes (2.8%), and benign or malignant tumours and cancer (2.6%).

Gastrointestinal problems, affecting 7.3% of absent staff, can range from mild to severe and include symptoms like abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and bloating. These can be caused by food intolerances, food poisoning, or digestive diseases.

Injury fractures accounted for 4.5% of absences. Depending on severity, fractures can take weeks to months to heal, significantly impacting the ability of medical staff to work.

Back problems, responsible for 3.9% of absences, can result from pulled muscles or medical conditions like slipped discs or sciatica, which are particularly challenging for NHS workers who often engage in physical tasks.