Sick officers could get private care

A Welsh police force could pay for its officers to receive private medical treatment in a bid to slash lengthy absences through sickness.

Gwent Police has the second highest sick leave problem of England and Wales's 43 police forces.

Last year, it lost almost 20,000 working days through illnesses to officers.

Bruised police could go private

Now the force has confirmed it is considering privately-funded medical care for officers on long-term leave in order to beat NHS delays.

According to the latest report from Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary, Gwent officers took an average of 15.4 days off through sickness in the year 2000/2001.

The figure is more than the 12.2 days off taken by officers throughout England and Wales on average.

Sir David O'Dowd said specific local conditions had a bearing on levels of sickness leave.

Funding shortcut

He said: "As well as undertaking a fundamental review of all sickness management processes, Gwent is seeking to shortcut such NHS delays through funding private medical treatment where appropriate, and increased use of its occupational health unit."

A spokesperson for Gwent Police said: "It is true we are looking at funding privately where appropriate for some officers on long term sick leave."

Gwent is seeking to shortcut such NHS delays through funding private medical treatment

Sir David O'Dowd

The last annual inspection of North Wales Police in August 2001 also warned sickness levels at the force were "unacceptably high."

According to the latest report, sickness levels across England and Wales rose to 12.2 days from an average 11.6 days last year - that equates to a missing 6,400 officers.

Sir David said the figures were "disappointing" despite good efforts from some forces at tackling the issue.

Roughly two thirds of the absences were down to long-term sickness periods of more than 28 days.