Healthcare sickness rate tops 300

More than 300 health workers in Gloucestershire were off sick on any one day last year, a BBC investigation has discovered.

Figures show that the 10,500 health workers in the county took a total of 115,000 sick days last year.

The health workers union, Unison, believes pressure due to job cuts and job uncertainty were largely to blame.

"I think stress is a huge element at the moment," said branch spokeswoman and nurse, Tanya Palmer.

Proposals to cut hundreds of jobs and hospital beds were put forward last year, as part of plans by the county's primary care trusts to claw back a £40m deficit.

You get so frustrated and you're trying to do your best because you're committed to the patient Carol Barton, nurse

"It's been a unique year in Gloucestershire," said Ms Palmer.

"We've had a lot of financial deficit, which means a lot of people have been put at risk and re-deployed.

"And hospitals are not the healthiest places. You have to be careful about cross infection. It's all amalgamated in a very high sickness rate."

Gloucester nurse, Carol Barton, added: "Being short-staffed, you go in and there can by only two of you on when there should be about six.

"You get so frustrated and you're trying to do your best because you're committed to the patient and you get really pressurised."

No-one from the health authority has yet been available to comment on the figures.