‘VERY high’ levels of flu and respiratory illnesses left more than 250 staff off work on each day over the Christmas period, Barnsley Hospital bosses say.
NHS England figures show an average of 257 staff members at the Gawber Road site were off ill each day between December 23 and 29.
This was up from 220 in the same period the year before.
Barnsley Hospital bosses say that a rise in flu cases has impacted its workforce - and they’re making active strides to try and stop the spread of any illness at the site.
A spokesperson told the Chronicle: “We are seeing a very high incidence of flu and respiratory illnesses in the hospital as cases continue to rise.
“Unfortunately, some of our colleagues have also become unwell due to the increased level of respiratory infections that are circulating within the community.
The trust is making every effort possible to support our colleagues to stay fit and well.
“This includes encouraging colleagues with symptoms of a respiratory infection to wear surgical masks when caring for patients, or if they are in close contact with colleagues.
“Offering flu and Covid booster vaccinations to all staff.
“Staff also have access to an on-site occupational health service and employee assistance programme, a range of health and wellbeing resources, toolkits, webinars and complementary therapies via the hospital charity.”
Despite the high number of staff off over the Christmas period, bosses say it has had less of an impact on its services compared to previous years.
“There was an average of 257 employees off ill each day between December 23 and 29,” the spokesperson added.
“This equates to a 6.64 per cent absence rate for the week.
“There were 3,866 whole time equivalent (WTE) staff working at the trust in November.
“Sickness absence rate for the month of December is 6.32 per cent, compared to 5.8 per cent in November.
“There are no planned appointments at the hospital on bank holidays or weekends, so in Christmas Week - which had two bank holidays and a weekend - the impact of staff absence can in fact be less than at other times of year.
“Like most organisations, annual leave and respiratory illness can peak over the period, but we are incredibly grateful to all colleagues who worked hard over the festive period and bank holidays to maintain the best possible service for our patients.”
Separate NHS England figures show there were 9,203 visits to A and E at Barnsley Hospital in December.
Of them, 5,716 were seen within four hours - accounting for 62 per cent of arrivals.
This means the trust fell well below the recovery target of 78 per cent and the original standard of 95 per cent.
At Barnsley Hospital, 846 patients waited longer than four hours, including five who were delayed by more than 12 hours.
