Responding to the latest NHS England staff sickness absence data, RCN Director for England, Patricia Marquis, said: “The pressure on nursing shows no sign of abating.
"It’s concerning that mental health-related sickness absence among nursing staff is up 20 per cent compared with just before the start of the pandemic.
"Not only has COVID-19 taken its toll, but the workforce crisis is putting huge strain on nursing as it struggles to provide safe and effective care for ever-rising numbers of patients who are feeling the impact.
"Ministers must invest urgently in nursing, starting with a pay rise which significantly exceeds the cost of living, and address the unrelenting pressures which are having a devastating impact on staff wellbeing."
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Notes to Editors
According to NHS Sickness Absence rates data, 128,161 full time equivalent days were lost in February 2022 due to nursing staff absence for anxiety/stress/depression/other psychiatric illnesses. The equivalent figure for February 2020 was 107,237. The latest data is available here.
