§ Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many sick leave days were taken in each London NHS Trust by(a) doctors, (b) nurses, (c) other health professionals and (d) other employees in (i) 1988, (ii) 1993, (iii) 1998 and (iv) for the most recent period available; and if he will make a statement. [135153]
§ Mr. HuttonNational data on sickness absence levels in the national health service have been collected only since 1999. Information on working days lost in the NHS due to sickness of less than three days duration is not held centrally, but may be available from individual NHS employers.
Action is being taken across the NHS to reduce sickness absence levels. A national improvement target has been set for all NHS employers to reduce sickness absence levels by 30 per cent. by 2003.