Hundreds of staff off sick each day as pressure mounts at Sutton and Mansfield hospitals

As viruses re-circulate after a hiatus during the pandemic, the NHS as a whole has continued to see hospital cases grow week on week, up almost 80% in seven days.

Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs Sutton’s King’s Mill and Mansfield Community hospitals, as well as Newark Hospital, is currently caring for 71 patients with flu and a further 67 patients with Covid-19.

A critical incident was declared across the entire NHS in Nottinghamshire on December 30, due to the large number of very poorly people arriving in accident and emergency departments across the county needing hospital admission, with, the NHS said, many of them suffering from respiratory conditions.

Staff have also been impacted by the spread of viruses this winter, with Covid absences each day up in December almost half again on the previous month.

The total number of staff off sick across the country is up a fifth on the end of November, from 52,556 to 63,296 a day.

In SFH hospitals during December, an average of 400 staff were absent each day in the run up to Christmas.

This has put extra strain on already strained resources and staff have been praised for their continuous efforts.

Rob Simcox, director of people at Sherwood Forest Hospitals, said: “Our colleagues across the NHS have worked exceptionally hard throughout the pandemic to ensure that the NHS continues to be there for patients.

“That remains the case and the compassion and dedication of staff to caring for patients and their families – as well as each other – has been truly inspirational.

“We recognise the impact that working under intense pressure for prolonged periods has on our colleagues at work and at home.

“We have an extensive programme of physical and mental health and wellbeing support to ensure that colleagues feel properly supported when they come to work and can deliver the best possible care for patients.”