STAFF sickness figures for Hambleton and Richmondshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) are lower than average for the NHS nationally and regionally.

The figures on absence rates due to sickness, which were released by the Department of Health, have been welcomed by the trust.

Standing at 3.8 per cent, the rate compares with 4.4 per cent for the NHS as a whole, 4.6 per cent for all PCTs and 4.4 per cent for the North and East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire Strategic Health Authority area.

The PCT's head of human resources, Amanda Heward, said: "The figures compare very well with the NHS as a whole, and especially with the figure from other trusts.

"It is in line with our expectations, as we have been working hard to manage sickness absence effectively and to promote and protect the health of our workforce as part of our commitment to improving their working lives.

"For example, we have a very good occupational health service, which last year organised voluntary flu jab sessions for staff.

"All our staff have free access to local leisure facilities and we offer a free confidential staff counselling service.

"We have also set up a healthy workforce group, which has held one successful staff health fair and is looking to roll out further events in the future. However, we are determined not to become complacent, and will work hard to drive absence rates down further."

Sickness absence rate is defined as the amount of time lost through absences as a percentage of staff time available.

This does not cover maternity leave, carers' leave or periods of absence agreed under family friendly/flexible working policies.