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Publication, Part of

NHS Sickness Absence Rates, December 2025

Official statistics

Publication Date:
26 Mar 2026
Geographic Coverage:
England
Geographical Granularity:
NHS Trusts, Hospital Trusts, Ambulance Trusts, Mental Health Trusts, Regions, Clinical Commissioning Groups
Date Range:
30 Apr 2009 to 31 Dec 2025

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NHS Sickness Absence Rates, December 2025

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Summary

This report shows monthly sickness absence rates of NHS Hospital and Community Health Services (HCHS) staff working in NHS Trusts and other core organisations and NHS Support Organisations and Central Bodies. Data is presented by NHS England region, ICS area, organisation, organisation type, staff group and reason for sickness absence.

We welcome feedback on the methodology and tables within this publication. Please email us with your comments and suggestions, clearly stating NHS Sickness Absence as the subject heading, via [email protected] or 0300 303 5678.

Key Facts

NHS Absence rates in December 2025

The overall sickness absence rate for England was 5.9%. This has increased slightly since November 2025 (5.6%) and is higher than December 2024 (5.7%).

Regional and organisational type variation

The North West region reported the highest sickness absence rate in December 2025 at 6.9%, increasing slightly since November 2025 (6.5%).

The South East of England reported the lowest sickness absence rate in December 2025 at 5.2%, increasing slightly since November 2025 (4.9%).

 

Ambulance Trusts had the highest sickness absence rate at 8.1% in December 2025, increasing since November 2025 (7.2%). Commissioning Support Units had the lowest sickness absence rate at 3.9%, increasing slightly since November 2025 (3.8%).

Staff group differences

Support to ambulance staff reported the highest sickness absence rate in December 2025 at 9.7%, increasing since November 2025 (8.7%).

 

HCHS doctors reported the lowest sickness absence rate in December 2025 at 2.1%.

Reason for sickness absence

Anxiety/stress/depression/other psychiatric illnesses was the most reported reason for sickness, accounting for over 757,400 full time equivalent days lost and 28.1% of all sickness absence in December 2025 (down from 28.8% in November 2025).

Last edited: 27 March 2026 1:58 pm