Move to cut hospital absence days

Action to cut the £10m sick pay bill of hospitals in Derby has begun, health bosses have announced.

Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said at any one time more than 300 people are absent due to sickness.

Figures for the year ending April 2008 showed an average of 11 sick days per employee.

The trust said while it continues to manage genuine sickness sensitively, financial pressures mean high absence levels can no longer be absorbed.

Tony Riley, director of human resources at Derby Hospitals, said: "Sickness levels have reduced slightly from 5% to 4.6% but we aim to get the figure down even lower to 3.8% by a combination of methods including health promotion, supporting staff and firm but fair management of absence."

The trust said it hoped its 7,500 staff will take note of the cost implications and improve their attendance at work.