500 staff absent due to covid in one month at Hartlepool's hospital trust

A report for the trust’s board of directors said there were 518 cases of coronavirus-related absences with 357 staff being away from work for ten days and another 161 who had been required to self-isolate for a fortnight.

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It said chest and respiratory problems – the category under which covid-related sicknesses were recorded – accounted for 30% of working days lost.

The next highest category was anxiety, stress and depression, accounting for 23%.

The report said during the previous month of November sickness absence cost the trust more than £539,000 with the absence rate running at about 6.83%.

A number of key actions were cited as being taken in bid to mitigate the problem, including sickness absence clinics and contact after ten days with all staff whose absence was covid-related.

Risk assessments also took place for those returning, while there was a range of health and wellbeing activity being made available for all employees.

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