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Publication, Part of

NHS Sickness Absence Rates, January 2026

Official statistics

Publication Date:
30 Apr 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 Jan 2026

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NHS Sickness Absence Rates, January 2026

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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 January 2026

The overall sickness absence rate for England was 5.7%. This has fallen slightly since December 2025 (5.9%) and is the same as in January 2025 (5.7%).

Regional and organisational type variation

The North West region reported the highest sickness absence rate in January 2026 at 6.6%, decreasing slightly since December 2025 (6.9%).

London and the South East of England reported the lowest sickness absence rate in January 2026 at 5.1% each, decreasing slightly since December 2025 (5.3% and 5.2% respectively).

 

Ambulance Trusts had the highest sickness absence rate at 7.7% in January 2026, decreasing since December 2025 (8.1%). Commissioning Support Units had the lowest sickness absence rate at 3.8%, remaining relatively unchanged since December 2025 (3.9%).

Staff group differences

Support to ambulance staff reported the highest sickness absence rate in January 2026 at 9.3%, decreasing since December 2025 (9.7%).

 

HCHS doctors reported the lowest sickness absence rate in January 2026 at 2.2%.

Reason for sickness absence

Anxiety/stress/depression/other psychiatric illnesses was the most reported reason for sickness, accounting for over 705,600 full time equivalent days lost and 27.0% of all sickness absence in January 2026 (down from 28.1% in December 2025).

Last edited: 30 April 2026 9:31 am