Warnings over NHS staffing as fifth of workers set to be absent at one trust by the end of the month
Up to a fifth of staff could be absent from one NHS trust in
just three weeks from now, potentially leading to the cancellation of as many
as 900 operations, a representative organisation has warned.
NHS Providers, the membership organisation for NHS trusts in
England, said a combination of staff having to self-isolate due to rising
coronavirus infection levels and people “rightly” taking annual leave
that was delayed due to the pandemic is likely to put a strain on the health
service.
The organisation said a growing number of trusts had told
them of their concerns in recent days about how self-isolation of staff is now
“significantly impacting their ability to deliver care”.
NHS Providers chief executive Chris Hopson said: “COVID-19
infection rates are rising rapidly, with the secretary of state predicting
100,000 cases a day.
“This will mean the number of staff having to
self-isolate will continue to rise if current procedures are kept in place.
“Trusts are also expecting a very stretched holiday and
leave period this summer, with high numbers of staff rightly taking annual
leave that was delayed due to Covid-19 pressures early this, and late, last
year.
“One trust is predicting that its overall absence rates
are potentially going to reach 20% in three weeks’ time, which means they would
have to cancel up to 900 operations.”
He added that one trust currently has 500 staff a day absent
from work due to the virus, with the vast majority due to self-isolation,
although did not specify whether this is the same trust.
Number 10 suggested on Friday that, in order to help
workforce levels, NHS staff could be made exempt having to self-isolation
requirements even if they’re a close contact of someone who later tests positive.
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