Ryan FowlerNew 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.
Endocrine and glandular problems and genitourinary and gynaecological disorders accounted for 3.2% of absences. These conditions can range from urinary tract infections to hormonal imbalances affecting various body functions.
Infectious diseases and unknown causes led to 2.8% of absences. These diseases, caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, are easily transmissible and can spread widely within hospital settings.
Benign or malignant tumours and cancer caused 2.6% of absences. Treatment for these conditions can be prolonged and intensive, often requiring significant recovery time.
A spokesperson from Claims.co.uk commented on the findings: “Working in the NHS can be a highly demanding job, and there is widespread workforce shortages and staff burnout due to the consistent pressure put upon them. There are not enough doctors and nurses in the UK to meet the demands of patients, and it can take a toll on their health, especially mental health as the data highlights.
“The NHS is one of the most important services across the nation, and without it, the entire UK would struggle to get by. It is vital to bear in mind that key workers also end up as patients at some point in their lives, and their health is just as important as anyone else’s.”
