Hospital staff sickness concerns due to low vaccine uptake

CONCERNS have been raised over levels of sickness amongst staff working for Sherwood Forest Hospitals Trust.

- By JOSEPH CONNOLLY Local democracy reporter

The authority, which runs King's Mill Hospital in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Newark Hospital and Mansfield Community Hospital, was alerted to the high number of sick days being taken by employees during a meeting of board members on Thursday, December 4.

Presenting a report, chief people officer Robert Simcox said: "Sickness absence remains a challenge. When I was here last I described some of the progress that had been made around reducing levels of absence in the hospitals but recently we have seen an upturn in short-term absence - respiratory illness such as cold and coughs."

Sickness absence levels were at 5.7 percent for the month of October - the highest figure since January.

In 2025/2026 so far, the average sits at 5 percent. The target is 4.2 percent.

Mr Simcox highlighted that sickness absence issues are not exclusive to the Sherwood Trust, with figures reflecting national trends.

Within the report, he also touched on flu vaccine uptake levels among staff, which are currently sitting at just below the national target.