scholarly journals Changing patterns of sickness absence among healthcare workers in England during the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rhiannon Edge ◽  
Diana A van der Plaat ◽  
Vaughan Parsons ◽  
David Coggon ◽  
Martie van Tongeren ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
National Health Service ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Sickness Absence ◽  
National Health ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Disease Occurrence ◽  
Changing Patterns ◽  
Delays In Diagnosis ◽  
Working Populations

Abstract Background Patterns of sickness absence shed useful light on disease occurrence and illness-related behaviours in working populations. Methods We analysed prospectively collected, pseudonymized data on 959 356 employees who were continuously employed by National Health Service trusts in England from 1 January 2019 to 31 July 2020, comparing the frequency of new sickness absence in 2020 with that at corresponding times in 2019. Results After exclusion of episodes directly related to COVID-19, the overall incidence of sickness absence during the initial 10 weeks of the pandemic (March–May 2020) was more than 20% lower than in corresponding weeks of 2019. Trends for specific categories of illness varied substantially, with a fall by 24% for cancer, but an increase for mental illness. A doubling of new absences for pregnancy-related disorders during May–July of 2020 was limited to women with earlier COVID-19 sickness absence. Conclusions Various factors will have contributed to the large and divergent changes that were observed. The findings reinforce concerns regarding delays in diagnosis and treatment of cancers and support a need to plan for a large backlog of treatment for many other diseases. Further research should explore the rise in absence for pregnancy-related disorders among women with earlier COVID-19 sickness absence.

scholarly journals Changing patterns of sickness absence among healthcare workers in England during the COVID-19 pandemic.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rhiannon Edge ◽  
Diana A van der Plaat ◽  
Vaughan Parsons ◽  
David Coggon ◽  
Martie J van Tongeren ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
National Health Service ◽  
Sickness Absence ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Eye Problems ◽  
Gastrointestinal Problems ◽  
Changing Patterns ◽  
Back Problems ◽  
Delays In Diagnosis ◽  
Nose And Throat

Abstract Objective To explore impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on patterns of sickness absence among staff employed by the National Health Service (NHS) in England. Methods We analysed prospectively collected, pseudonymised data on 959,356 employees who were continuously employed by NHS trusts during 1 January 2019 to 31 July 2020, comparing the frequency of new sickness absence in 2020 with that at corresponding times in 2019. Results After exclusion of episodes directly related to COVID-19, the overall incidence of sickness absence during the initial 10 weeks of the pandemic (March-May 2020) was more than 20% lower than in corresponding weeks of 2019, but trends for specific categories of illness varied. Marked increases were observed for asthma (122%), infectious diseases (283%) and mental illness (42.3%), while reductions were apparent for gastrointestinal problems (48.4%), genitourinary/gynaecological disorders (33.8%), eye problems (42.7%), injury and fracture (27.7%), back problems (19.6%), other musculoskeletal disorders (29.3%), disorders of ear, nose and throat (32.7%), cough/flu (24.5%) and cancer (24.1%). A doubling of new absences for pregnancy-related disorders during 18 May to 19 July of 2020 was limited to women with earlier COVID-19 sickness absence. Conclusions Various factors will have contributed to the large and divergent changes that were observed. The findings add to concerns regarding delays in diagnosis and treatment of cancers, and support a need to plan for a large backlog of treatment for many other diseases. Further research should explore the rise in absence for pregnancy-related disorders among women with earlier COVID-19 sickness absence.

Memorandum on Amalgamation of Psychiatric with General Hospital Groups

1967 ◽  
Vol 113 (495) ◽  
pp. 235-237 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
National Health Service ◽  
Health Service ◽  
General Hospital ◽  
National Health ◽  
Psychiatric Hospitals ◽  
Mental Subnormality

At the inception of the National Health Service, most of the large psychiatric hospitals were constituted independent administrative “Groups”. In some cases a mental and a mental subnormality hospital, or two mental subnormality hospitals were joined to form a Group; and a number of the smaller psychiatric hospitals (either for mental illness or for mental subnormality) were attached to Groups consisting mainly of general and specialist hospitals for bodily diseases.

scholarly journals Occupational risks of COVID-19 in NHS workers in England

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
DA van der Plaat ◽  
I Madan ◽  
D Coggon ◽  
M van Tongeren ◽  
R Edge ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
National Health Service ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Sickness Absence ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Clinical Services ◽  
Occupational Risks ◽  
Reduction Strategies ◽  
Risk Reduction Strategies

AbstractObjectiveTo quantify occupational risks of Covid-19 among healthcare staff during the first wave of the pandemic in EnglandMethodsUsing pseudonymised data on 902,813 individuals continuously employed by 191 National Health Service trusts during 1.1.19 to 31.7.20, we explored demographic and occupational risk factors for sickness absence ascribed to Covid-19 during 9.3.20 to 31.7.20 (n = 92,880). We estimated odds ratios (ORs) by multivariate logistic regression.ResultsWith adjustment for employing trust, demographic characteristics, and previous frequency of sickness absence, risk relative to administrative/clerical occupations was highest in additional clinical services (a group that included care assistants) (OR 2.31), registered nursing and midwifery professionals (OR 2.28) and allied health professionals (OR 1.94), and intermediate in doctors and dentists (OR 1.55). Differences in risk were higher after the employing trust had started to care for documented Covid-19 patients, and were reduced, but not eliminated, following additional adjustment for exposure to infected patients or materials, assessed by a job-exposure matrix. For prolonged Covid-19 sickness absence (episodes lasting >14 days), the variation in risk by staff group was somewhat greater.ConclusionsAfter allowance for possible bias and confounding by non-occupational exposures, we estimated that relative risks for Covid-19 among most patient-facing occupations were between 1.5 and 2.5. The highest risks were in those working in additional clinical services, nursing and midwifery and in allied health professions. Better protective measures for these staff groups should be a priority. Covid-19 may meet criteria for compensation as an occupational disease in some healthcare occupations.Key messagesWhat is already known about this subject?Healthcare workers and other keyworkers (workers whose job was considered essential to societal functioning) had a higher likelihood of testing positive for COVID-19 than other workers during the first lockdown in England. Amongst healthcare workers, those working in inpatient settings had the highest rate of infection.What are the new findings?Between March and July 2000, the overall risk of COVID-19 sickness absence in National Health Service staff in England was lower at older ages, higher in non-white staff, and (in comparison with administrative and clerical staff) more than doubled in registered nurses and among workers such as healthcare assistants providing support to health professionals. Risk in health care scientists was little different from that in administrative and clerical occupationsHow might this impact on policy or clinical practice in the foreseeable future?Our results suggest that the risk reduction strategies that were in place for healthcare scientists were effective. However, the protection for nursing and supporting health professionals was insufficient. In the event of a further ‘wave’ of infections resulting in high hospital admissions, attention should be paid to ensuring that risk reduction strategies for nurses and supporting health professionals are improved.

scholarly journals Impact of workplace discrimination and harassment among National Health Service staff working in London trusts: results from the TIDES study

BJPsych Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca D. Rhead ◽  
Zoe Chui ◽  
Ioannis Bakolis ◽  
Billy Gazard ◽  
Hannah Harwood ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Job Satisfaction ◽  
National Health Service ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Sickness Absence ◽  
National Health ◽  
Turnover Rates ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Service Staff ◽  
The Impact

Background Harassment and discrimination in the National Health Service (NHS) has steadily increased over the past 5 years with London being the worst performing region. There is a lack of data and research on the impact this is having on staff health and job satisfaction. Such data are necessary to inform the development of effective workplace interventions to mitigate the effects these experiences have on staff. Aims Examine the impact of harassment and discrimination on NHS staff working in London trusts, utilising data from the 2019 TIDES cross-sectional survey. Method In total, 931 London-based healthcare practitioners participated in the TIDES survey. Regression analysis was used to examine associations between the sociodemographic characteristics of participants, exposure to discrimination and harassment, and how such exposures are associated with physical and mental health, job satisfaction and sickness absence. Results Women, Black ethnic minority staff, migrants, nurses and healthcare assistants were most at risk of discrimination and/or harassment. Experiencing either of the main exposures was associated with probable anxiety or depression. Experiencing harassment was also associated with moderate-to-severe somatic symptoms. Finally, both witnessing and experiencing the main exposures were associated with low job satisfaction and long periods of sickness absence. Conclusions NHS staff, particularly those working in London trusts, are exposed to unprecedented levels of discrimination and harassment from their colleagues. Within the context of an already stretched and under-resourced NHS, in order to combat poor job satisfaction and high turnover rates, the value of all healthcare practitioners must be visibly and continuously reinforced by all management and senior leaders.

scholarly journals Clinical Guidelines in Mental Health I: the National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health

2004 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 156-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tim Kendall ◽  
Steve Pilling ◽  
Catherine Pettinari ◽  
Craig Whittington
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
National Health Service ◽  
Health Service ◽  
National Health ◽  
Clinical Guidelines ◽  
Clinical Guideline ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Clinical Excellence ◽  
Severe Form

The first national clinical guideline for the National Health Service (NHS) was produced by the National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health (NCCMH) for the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) and launched in December 2002. That the first guideline to emerge was a guideline in mental health was important. Furthermore, that the guideline was about the treatment of the most severe form of mental illness, schizophrenia, has drawn a great deal of attention to the plight of people with mental health problems, both within NICE, its Citizens Council and Partners Council, and in the medical press (Battacharya & Gough, 2002; Mayor, 2002; Hargreaves, 2003).

scholarly journals Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on sickness absence for mental ill health in National Health Service staff

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. e054533
Author(s):  
Diana A van der Plaat ◽  
Rhiannon Edge ◽  
David Coggon ◽  
Martie van Tongeren ◽  
Rupert Muiry ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
National Health Service ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Sickness Absence ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
National Health ◽  
Ethnic Origin ◽  
East Midlands ◽  
Occupational Characteristics ◽  
Service Staff

ObjectiveTo explore the patterns of sickness absence in National Health Service (NHS) staff attributable to mental ill health during the first wave of the COVID-19 epidemic in March–July 2020.DesignCase-referent analysis of a secondary dataset.SettingNHS Trusts in England.ParticipantsPseudonymised data on 959 356 employees who were continuously employed by NHS trusts during 1 January 2019 to 31 July 2020.Main outcome measuresTrends in the burden of sickness absence due to mental ill health from 2019 to 2020 according to demographic, regional and occupational characteristics.ResultsOver the study period, 164 202 new sickness absence episodes for mental ill health were recorded in 12.5% (119 525) of the study sample. There was a spike of sickness absence for mental ill health in March–April 2020 (899 730 days lost) compared with 519 807 days in March–April 2019; the surge was driven by an increase in new episodes of long-term absence and had diminished by May/June 2020. The increase was greatest in those aged >60 years (227%) and among employees of Asian and Black ethnic origin (109%–136%). Among doctors and dentists, the number of days absent declined by 12.7%. The biggest increase was in London (122%) and the smallest in the East Midlands (43.7%); the variation between regions reflected the rates of COVID-19 sickness absence during the same period.ConclusionAlthough the COVID-19 epidemic led to an increase in sickness absence attributed to mental ill health in NHS staff, this had substantially declined by May/June 2020, corresponding with the decrease in pressures at work as the first wave of the epidemic subsided.

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