The number of staff that took leave due to stress or stress-related health problems has risen significantly in four of Wales’ health boards over the last three years.
Two boards have seen increases of over a quarter, one of 24 per cent and another of 14 per cent.
After obtaining the figures through the freedom of information act, Shadow Minister for Health Darren Millar AM called the increases a ‘worrying reflection of the burdens placed on NHS staff.”
Hywel Dda Local Health Board saw the largest increase, at 40 per cent.
432 members of staff took stress-related leave there in 2008/09. That rose to 604 in 2010/11.
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board saw a 34 per cent rise – from 785 to 1051 between 2008/09 and 2010/11.
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board saw the figure rise from 725 to 900 over the course of three years (a 24 per cent increase), while in Aneurin Bevan 874 staff members took stress-related leave in 2008/09 and 1000 in 2009/10 (a 14 per cent rise).
In Powys, the number dropped from 233 in 2008/09 to 149 in 2010/11 (a decrease of 36 per cent).
Two health boards provided percentage figures.
In Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board there was a fall from 9.54 per cent of the total number of staff on sick leave to 9.37 per cent.
Cwm Taf Health Board saw a rise from 0.98 per cent to 1.41 per cent of the total number of staff on sick leave.
Shadow Minister for Health, Darren Millar AM, said:
“The NHS in Wales is currently under considerable pressure and these figures could be viewed as a worrying reflection of the many burdens placed on health board staff.
“In this coming financial year alone, Labour is cutting over 80 million pounds from the health budget.
“This at a time when waiting list targets are not being met, vacancies are not being filled and cancelled operations are on the rise.
“The Royal College of Nursing’s concerns over money-saving and patient safety, along with vast budgetary shortfalls at many health boards, also provide a stark backdrop to these revealing figures.
“I am more than confident that staff in every health board work exceptionally hard to provide a first-class service for Welsh patients. It is Labour’s sloppy approach and refusal to prioritise the health budget that is making their jobs far harder.
“Stress in any workplace is unhealthy and harmful. I would expect the health minister to speak to health boards that have seen a rise in this problem and learn lessons from those that have not.”
