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Publication, Part of

NHS Sickness Absence Rates, October 2025

Official statistics

Publication Date:
29 Jan 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 Oct 2025

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NHS Sickness Absence Rates, October 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 October 2025

The overall sickness absence rate for England was 5.7%. This has increased slightly since September 2025 (5.3%) and is higher than October 2024 (5.4%).

Regional and organisational type variation

The North West region reported the highest sickness absence rate in October 2025 at 6.5%, increasing slightly since September 2025 (6.1%).

The South East of England reported the lowest sickness absence rate in October 2025 at 5.0%, increasing slightly since September 2025 (4.7%).

 

Ambulance Trusts had the highest sickness absence rate at 7.1% in October 2025, increasing slightly since September 2025 (6.7%). Commissioning Support Units had the lowest sickness absence rate at 4.1%, increasing slightly since September 2025 (3.6%).

Staff group differences

Support to ambulance staff reported the highest sickness absence rate in October 2025 at 8.4%, increasing slightly since September 2025 (8.0%).

 

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

Reason for sickness absence

Anxiety/stress/depression/other psychiatric illnesses was the most reported reason for sickness, accounting for over 712,800 full time equivalent days lost and 27.7% of all sickness absence in October 2025. This has decreased slightly since September 2025 (29.0%).

Last edited: 29 January 2026 9:31 am