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NHS told to help ill staff more NHS told to help ill staff more
(20 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, according to independent experts. The health service must do more to tackle levels of staff illness, according to independent experts.
The government-commissioned NHS Health and Wellbeing interim report said by helping workers NHS trusts could improve performance and efficiency. The NHS Health and Wellbeing interim report said by helping employees more trusts could improve performance.
Currently, the NHS's record is highly variable, the experts said. Up to 15,000 staff absences a day could be saved if the NHS matched the improvement made by the private sector, the government-commissioned study said.
They added, with 1m staff, the NHS could act as an exemplar for the rest of the economy. The unions said it must be remembered that NHS work was demanding, but agreed services were patchy.
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. The report said with more than 1m staff, the NHS could act as an exemplar for the rest of the economy.
It has cited examples of best practice from the private and public sectors, arguing the health service should be more proactive, particularly with physio and counselling services.
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.
WHAT WORKS WELL BT - Online self-assessment available to staff to report stress with managers alerted to problemsRoyal Mail - A wellbeing board has been appointed, including trade unions and staff, to promote occupational health services across workforceWest Suffolk Hospital - Staff with musculoskeletal injuries given priority referral to local physio. A 40% fall in absence in this area has been reportedCentrica- Line managers trained to deal with health problems, including mental health and back pain WHAT WORKS WELL BT - Online self-assessment available to staff to report stress. Managers alerted to serious problemsRoyal Mail - A wellbeing board has been appointed, including trade unions and staff, to promote occupational health services across workforceWest Suffolk Hospital - Staff with musculoskeletal injuries given priority referral to local physio. A 40% fall in absences in this area has been reportedCentrica- Line managers trained to deal with health problems, including mental health and back pain
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 consistently 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."
EconomyEconomy
The report 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.
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 Sian Thomas, of NHS EmployersAs 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 Sian Thomas, of NHS Employers
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.
Karen Jennings, head of health at Unison, said it had to be remembered that NHS work was demanding where staff were at risk of injury and infection.Karen Jennings, head of health at Unison, said it had to be remembered that NHS work was demanding where staff were at risk of injury and infection.
She added that the "patchy occupational health system" must be tackled.She added that the "patchy occupational health system" must be tackled.
"That means managers taking a responsible approach to the health and wellbeing of their staff.""That means managers taking a responsible approach to the health and wellbeing of their staff."
Sian Thomas, director at NHS Employers, agreed trusts needed to take the issue more seriously.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.""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".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.""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