NHS trusts are significantly underestimating the cost of sickness absence according to a recent review carried out by CVA and Verita.Sickness absence
We found that one NHS foundation trust that had estimated its annual cost of sickness absence as £3 million had real costs closer to £10 million.While this is a startling figure, our initial research revealed that £7.5 million of this sum could be reduced by better monitoring and management of sickness absence. A modest 30 per cent reduction would result in a £2 million saving a year. We also found a direct link between high levels of sickness absence and patient safety incidents.
To help trusts save money and improve patient care, we have pioneered a new, fast service to help trusts put effective systems in place for monitoring, managing and reducing sickness absence.
The three-step review provides senior managers with the information they need to make real financial savings and sustainable change:
- stage 1: system-wide diagnostic review (completed in two weeks)
- stage 2: focused review based on the trust's priorities and desired outcomes
- stage 3: practical implementation plan.
At a time when budgets are tight and demand for better services continues to grow, Verita's offer represents a very attractive prize for all providers: financial savings and better front-line care.
For more information, please contact Derek Mechen on 020 7494 5670 or derekmechen@verita.net