Shock figures have been released showing that a staggering 2,555 NHS staff were on long-term sick leave at the same time, raising concerns about the impact on healthcare services. The data also reveals that over the past five years, healthcare workers were absent due to long-term sickness on a total of 43,881 occasions. Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton expressed his alarm at these figures, stating that they highlight the fragile state of NHS staffing. He noted that NHS staff are facing immense pressure and occupational risks like long Covid, leading many to feel exhausted and compelled to take extended leave or even leave the profession altogether.
Experts have attributed the increased absenteeism among NHS staff to the demoralising effects of the pandemic. The toll of sickness on healthcare workers is evident in the numbers, with 7,069 doctors, nurses, and midwives on long-term sick leave in 2019/20. This figure climbed to 7,571 the following year, then to 8,451 in 2021/22, and peaked at 10,748 in 2022/23 before seeing a slight decrease to 10,042 the following year. Of the 2,555 staff members currently on long-term sick leave, the majority are nurses.
Cole-Hamilton emphasised the urgent need for a robust NHS recovery plan to address the workforce shortages. He called for a revamp of the current plan to focus on recruiting and retaining staff, as well as expanding training opportunities in critical areas such as mental health and dentistry. The Scottish Liberal Democrats leader also urged the SNP to reconsider their opposition to a Burnout Prevention Strategy for NHS staff to prevent further losses of essential healthcare workers.
As concerns grow about a potential winter crisis in the NHS, Cole-Hamilton’s call for immediate action to bolster the healthcare workforce and support staff well-being resonates with many in the healthcare sector. The impact of prolonged absences among NHS staff underscores the need for proactive measures to safeguard the well-being of healthcare workers and ensure the sustainability of healthcare services in the face of ongoing challenges.