Extra demands on hospital staff in East Lancashire triggers a rise in sickness

Accident and emergency and urgent care facilities across the likes of the Royal Blackburn, Burnley General and Accrington Victoria have faced heavy pressure at the start of the year.

And members of East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust's board have been told that the sickness rate for the organisation has risen to 5.3 per cent for January.

This had led to staffing gaps in certain areas and affected the flow of patients through the hospitals trust, according to a performance report.

An increase in 'short notice' sickness among nurses had also led to issues within the emergency and urgent care departments over the month, the board heard.

Kevin Moynes, the trust's human resources director, said: "It is a problem for us because this time last year the rate was 4.86 per cent."

He told the board he would be bringing a special paper to a meeting at the end of March to address options on how to reverse the trend.

Kevin McGee, the hospitals trust's chief executive, added: "We do know there sickness is rising and we do know there is an issue with appraisals.

"I am sure that there is a correlation between sickness and the acuity and flow of patients through the hospital over this period.

"I am really pleased that we are bringing a paper to the board to see how we can support staff.

"Their physical and mental wellbeing is of importance to this board so we can deliver safe and effective care for our patients."

The likes of the neo-natal intensive care unit, at the Lancashire Women and Newborns Centre at Burnley General, had seen an increase in long-term sickness and had nine vacancies, the board was told.

Bosses in the maternity unit had also been faced with having eight midwives off on maternity leave, with their duties currently being filled by bank staff.

The board was also told there were 250 nursing vacancies, around 10 per cent of the establishment, but more than 100 were expected to join the organisation by April.