BOARD PAPER PART I BENCHMARKING SICKNESS ABSENCE SPONSOR TERENCE HART

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1 BOARD PAPER PART I BENCHMARKING SICKNESS ABSENCE SPONSOR TERENCE HART Summary of the Paper: Analysis of Sickness Absence benchmarked against National Data. Shows IOWPCT as below national average for percentage sickness and improving month on month when contrasted with Performance Report. Decisions Required: For Information

2 BOARD PAPER PART I BENCHMARKING SICKNESS ABSENCE SPONSOR TERENCE HART Aims / Objectives supported by this paper: Healthcare Commission Standard / Domain this relates to Standard No: Principal risk(s) related to this paper (select from assurance framework if appropriate): Any legal issues related to this paper that the Board should be aware of, or that require Board approval: Extent of Public Involvement taken or planned: Author(s) of this paper: Terence Hart Director of HR and OD Lead Directors responsible for this area of work: Terence Hart Date of paper: 1 August 2008

3 Human Resources and Organisational Development Directorate Benchmarking Sickness Absence Introduction The Department of Health provides benchmarked data, in relation to sickness absence, on a quarterly basis for PCT s nationally. The data currently available is for quarter 3, October to December There are a total of 152 PCT s. out of which a total of 115 PCT s have provided data for this benchmarking. This paper shows where the Isle of Wight NHS PCT sits against other PCT s nationally and demonstrates trends in both total sickness and long term sickness absence since April Total sickness absence benchmarking for PCT s The Isle of Wight PCT is ranked 52 out of 115 PCT s for sickness absence with a 4.58% sickness absence rate (YTD as at 31 December 07). This is below the national average rate of 4.79%. 9.0% 8.0% Sickness absence Rate 7.0% 6.0% 5.0% 4.0% 3.0% 2.0% 1.0% 0.0% Sickness absence National Average IW PCT Sickness absence trends The graph below shows the trends of total sickness absence within the PCT for the previous three financial years and this current year. The graph identifies a fluctuating total sickness absence rate for the organisation, however it shows a downward trend during the latter months of 2007/08 and this current financial year. 1

4 Trust Sickness Rate 6.00% 5.00% % 4.00% 3.00% 2.00% 05/06 06/07 07/08 08/09 SHA Target 1.00% 0.00% April May June July August September October November December January February March Month Benchmarking of long term sickness absence There is currently no requirement for PCT s to report long term and short term sickness rates separately therefore there is no benchmark data available from the Strategic Health Authority (SHA). The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) published an absence survey report in July This survey covers both public and private sectors. The ability to benchmark against the CIPD survey has limitations given the sample size from the public sector and specifically health organisations. The survey found for the 140 public sector organisations included, the average sickness absence rate was 4.3% (for the period 1 January to 31 December 2007). The sickness absence rate for the 27 Health organisations surveyed gave an average sickness absence rate of 5.1%. The IW PCT sickness rate in the same period was 4.58%. The average sickness absence rate for both private and public sector (545 organisations surveyed) for the same period was 3.5%. The ability to source comprehensive benchmarking data for public sector and for health organisations specifically is limited to the CIPD survey. In May 2008, the SHA sought expressions of interests from organisations wishing to join a benchmarking forum. It is hoped that this forum will enable detailed and specific benchmarking data for sickness absence to take place. Given the inability to source specific data from the Department of Health or SHA for long term sickness absence rates, the graph below shows the trends for long term sickness absence cases within the IW PCT for the period April 2

5 2005 to date. Long term sickness is defined as an episode of sickness absence lasting 28 days or more. Trust Long Term Sickness (>28 days) Nos of individual cases / / / /09 April May June July August September October November December January February March Month The current financial year shows an overall reduction in long term sickness absence cases from 2007/08 and previous financial years for the same period. The focus of proactive management and early intervention in all long term sickness absence cases, facilitated by the Human Resources Directorate and Occupational Health, in line with the Attendance Management Policy, supports the achievement of a reduction in sickness absence. Occupational Health Triage Service In May 2008 a pilot of an Occupational Health Staff Triage Service was implemented. The aim of this pilot is to support the PCT in effective management of sickness absence as a key corporate objective. The objectives of the triage service are to help reduce the length of episode by advising staff about appropriate measures they may take, and to closely liaise with managers providing feedback on all contact made with staff off sick in their areas. There are commercial organisations providing this service at a significant cost, therefore an in house modified version was designed by the Occupational Health Team. This retained local management responsibility and control between employee and departmental manager, but also included Occupational Health as a link between the two. The pilot has seen an overall reduction of sickness absence of days (first two months of the pilot) however it is unclear if this reduction is attributable solely to the triage service or other factors. Therefore the pilot has been extended to allow further data analysis to occur. 3

6 The Directorate is confident that there are robust policies, procedures and process in place to manage sickness absence. If the Board would like to receive more regular reports on sickness absence the Human Resources Team would be pleased to provide these. Amy Rolf Chartered MCIPD Senior Human Resources Manager 25 July