Data collected by FirstCare has found that the number of NHS staff absent from work because of their mental health has leapt in the past few months, in the wake of the huge winter wave of covid pressure.
The number of absences for mental health reasons in May and June this year was at least 20 per cent up on April, and at least 35 per cent up on February, the data shows, and more than 40 per cent up on the same months last year
The absence data covers 46,000 NHS staff from nine trusts. There is major concern about the impact of covid pressures on staff, and fears some will leave the service because of it.
Full story in the HSJ, 6 August 2021