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NHS told to help ill staff more NHS told to help ill staff more
(29 minutes later)
Illness rates among NHS staff are much higher than those in the private sector and more must be done to cut sick days, an interim report is expected to say. Illness rates among NHS staff are much higher than those in the private sector and more must be done to cut sick days, according to independent experts.
The government-commissioned report is expected to tell NHS trusts that by helping workers they could improve performance and efficiency. The government-commissioned NHS Health and Wellbeing interim report said by helping workers NHS trusts could improve performance and efficiency.
Currently, the NHS's record is "highly variable", the report will argue. Currently, the NHS's record is highly variable, the experts said.
It will say that, with 1m staff, the NHS could act as an exemplar for the rest of the economy. They added, with 1m staff, the NHS could act as an exemplar for the rest of the economy.
It will use examples of best practice from the private and public sectors, arguing that 15,000 staff absences a day could be saved by being more proactive. It has cited examples of best practice from the private and public sectors, arguing that 15,000 staff absences a day could be saved by being more proactive.
Annual NHS sickness levels of 10.7 days a year per employee are higher than the public sector average and 50% higher than the private sector at 6.4 days.Annual NHS sickness levels of 10.7 days a year per employee are higher than the public sector average and 50% higher than the private sector at 6.4 days.
Trusts that take health and wellbeing seriously perform constantly better on measures of quality, patient safety and efficiency Dr Steve Boorman, review leaderTrusts that take health and wellbeing seriously perform constantly better on measures of quality, patient safety and efficiency Dr Steve Boorman, review leader
The report will say giving people access to services such as physiotherapy and counselling can help prevent serious problems developing. The report said giving people access to services such as physiotherapy and counselling can help prevent serious problems developing.
During the research, 11,000 staff completed questionnaires and 200 responses were received from NHS trusts.During the research, 11,000 staff completed questionnaires and 200 responses were received from NHS trusts.
Stress, musculoskeletal problems and mental health difficulties were the most common problems suffered.Stress, musculoskeletal problems and mental health difficulties were the most common problems suffered.
Overall, eight in 10 said they thought health and wellbeing issues were affecting care.Overall, eight in 10 said they thought health and wellbeing issues were affecting care.
Dr Steve Boorman, who led the review, said there was now a clear business case for the NHS to do more.Dr Steve Boorman, who led the review, said there was now a clear business case for the NHS to do more.
"Trusts that take health and wellbeing seriously perform constantly better on measures of quality, patient safety and efficiency." "Trusts that take health and wellbeing seriously perform consistently better on measures of quality, patient safety and efficiency."
The report, to be published later, is the interim version of the NHS Health and Wellbeing study. Economy
It was drawn up at the request of the government following the publication of a national workforce review last year. The report was drawn up at the request of the government following the publication of a national workforce review last year.
That report by Dame Carol Black, the government's director for health and work, called for businesses to do more to tackle illness and promote healthy lifestyles.That report by Dame Carol Black, the government's director for health and work, called for businesses to do more to tackle illness and promote healthy lifestyles.
It said ill-health was costing the economy £100bn a year.It said ill-health was costing the economy £100bn a year.
Dr Boorman will now spend the next few months consulting NHS staff and government officials before drawing up a final report later this year.Dr Boorman will now spend the next few months consulting NHS staff and government officials before drawing up a final report later this year.
But Sian Thomas, director at NHS Employers, agreed trusts needed to take the issue more seriously.
"As health is our core business we must put the health issues of our own staff at centre stage so that we all become role models for our communities."
And a Department of Health spokesman added that the report made a "strong case for change".
"Dr Boorman has identified many examples of best practice that we can all learn from and make a positive change for all NHS staff."
Are you a health worker? What kind of support do you receive? How can the NHS do more to improve the health of staff? Send us your comments.Are you a health worker? What kind of support do you receive? How can the NHS do more to improve the health of staff? Send us your comments.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions