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Publication, Part of

NHS Sickness Absence Rates, May 2026

Official statistics

Publication Date:
27 Aug 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 May 2026

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NHS Sickness Absence Rates, May 2026

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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 May 2026

The overall sickness absence rate for England was 5.0%. This has remained unchanged since April 2026 (5.0%) but increased slightly compared to May 2025 (4.7%).

Regional and organisational type variation

The North West region reported the highest sickness absence rate in May 2026 at 5.8%, increasing slightly since April 2026 (5.6%).

The South East of England reported the lowest sickness absence rate in May 2026 at 4.4%, remaining unchanged since April 2026 (4.4%).

 

Ambulance Trusts had the highest sickness absence rate at 6.5% in May 2026, increasing slightly since April 2026 (6.4%). Commissioning Support Units had the lowest sickness absence rate at 3.5%, falling slightly since April 2026 (3.7%).

Staff group differences

Support to ambulance staff reported the highest sickness absence rate in May 2026 at 7.6%, decreasing slightly since April 2026 (7.7%).

 

HCHS doctors reported the lowest sickness absence rate in May 2026 at 1.9%.

Reason for sickness absence

Anxiety/stress/depression/other psychiatric illnesses was the most reported reason for sickness, accounting for over 680,660 full time equivalent days lost and 29.9% of all sickness absence in May 2026 (rising slightly from 29.2% in April 2026).

Last edited: 27 August 2026 9:31 am