LEVELS of staff sickness at the NHS trusts that run Leighton and Macclesfield hospitals hit a record high during lockdown.

It comes as the latest statistics reveal 2.3 million full-time working days were lost due to sickness across the NHS in April – the most in more than a decade.

NHS Digital data shows that in April the overall staff sickness and absence rate at East Cheshire NHS Trust – which runs hospitals in Macclesfield, Knutsford and Congleton – was 9.4 per cent.

That is the highest level since comparable records began in 2013, and stands in contrast to 4.2 per cent in April 2019.

It means 5,854 full-time equivalent days of work across all staff groups in the trust were lost, from a total of 62,022 in April.

Meanwhile at Mid Cheshire Hospitals – which runs Leighton Hospital, Victoria Infirmary Northwich and Elmhurst in Winsford – the overall staff sickness and absence rate was 6.6 per cent.

That figure was also the highest since comparable records began in 2013, and compares to 4.3 per cent in April 2019.

It means 8,192 full-time equivalent days of work across all staff groups in the trust were lost, from a total of 123,423 in April.

The figures cover the first full month of lockdown, when people across the country were urged to stay at home to protect the NHS as it came under increased pressure.

NHS Providers, the membership organisation for trusts in England, says a variation in sickness absence by region and trusts correlated with the areas facing the biggest peaks of the coronavirus outbreak.

Overall, the national NHS staff sickness rate was 6.2 per cent, while the north west rate was 6.9 per cent.

Miriam Deakin, director of policy and strategy at NHS Providers, said: “The figures demonstrate just how committed staff have been to taking care of people as well as trusts’ commitment to creating safe environments for their staff and patients in difficult circumstances.

“Looking ahead, we must not underestimate the lasting impact working during Covid-19 will have on NHS staff."

Nationally, the most reported reason for sickness absence was anxiety, stress, depression or other psychiatric illnesses, at 20.9 per cent.

The second most common reason, chest and respiratory problems, was given for 14.8 per cent of absences.

A recent NHS Providers survey found that 93 per cent of trust leaders are concerned about staff wellbeing, stress and burnout following the pandemic.

Ms Deakin added: "Trusts are doing all they can to support staff, including setting up a range of services such as relaxation and well-being hubs and safe spaces.

"Additional support for staff will be a long-term requirement, as evidence suggests that staff are more likely to present much later, around two-and-a-half to seven years after experiencing trauma.

"We will need to continue to track the mental health and wellbeing of the workforce to get a good understanding of the impact Covid-19 has had for years to come."