Mental health sick leave: do you feel able to take it?

Nurses’ mental ill health and burnout are pushing up sickness absence, yet many staff struggle into work for fear of falling foul of insensitive workplace policy

NHS sickness absence rates are rising, with mental ill health a leading cause. The NHS needs to have policies and procedures in place to function effectively and appropriately but are these policies functioning as they should, especially in relation to mental health?

I practise in Scotland, where the Once for Scotland policies cover all NHS health boards. The attendance policy aims to standardise staff absence processes. But is such a blanket approach appropriate for all sickness absences?

Fear of repercussions makes nurses turn up for work when sick