NHS staff absence and self-isolation rate, by staff group and date (archived - no longer updated)
In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, information on NHS staff absence has been published to support transparency and understanding of NHS activity and capacity. Figures show the percentage of NHS staff absent due to COVID-19 related illness, self-isolation or otherwise by staff group and date. The data are taken from management information and are subject to change. They have not been subject to the same validation processes undertaken for official statistics releases. The official statistics should be considered as the authoritative data source.
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General description
In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, information on NHS staff absence has been published to support transparency and understanding of NHS activity and capacity.Figures show the percentage rate of NHS staff absent due to COVID-19 related illness and self-isolation by staff group and date. Self-isolating numbers include staff who are symptomatic but able to work and are working from home.
This was collected daily until 10 August 2020, and then once a week (Monday's data) between 17 August 2020 and 7 June 2021.
From 21 June 2021, we moved this collection from weekly to fortnightly, however due to increased demand for information on NHS staff absence this collection returned to weekly from 3 January 2022. From 8 August 2022 the data will be collected once a fortnight.
The data are taken from management information and are subject to change. They have not been subject to the same validation processes undertaken for official statistics releases.
Data collection and calculation
All organisations submit a return on Tuesdays, providing data for the previous day (Monday). Data is submitted via an EXCEL file and then transferred to an ACCESS database.Frequency of publication
FortnightlyData reference periods
14 April 2020 onwardsRounding applied
Percentages are rounded to one decimal place.Revisions information
Historic data may be revised if organisations identify an issue but it is not likely to be frequently revised.Title
NHS staff absence and self-isolation rate, staff group and dateLast update
22 June 2023Next update
archived - no longer updatedPublishing organisation
Welsh GovernmentSource 1
NHS OrganisationsContact email
stats.healthinfo@gov.walesDesignation
Management informationLowest level of geographical disaggregation
WalesGeographical coverage
WalesLanguages covered
English and WelshData licensing
You may use and re-use this data free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government License - see http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licenceStatistical quality
From 1 April 2023 there is no longer any requirement for staff to test for COVID-19, therefore it is no longer possible to identify with any certainty any sickness as attributable to COVID-19.From 17 January 2022, Betsi Cadwaladr changed the way self isolation data is reported. To ensure figures align with those reported locally, self-isolation absence of more than 7 days is excluded from results, as it is assumed that staff have returned to work but that workforce systems have not yet been updated.
Due to planned maintenance, Welsh Government did not receive data for 30 August 2021 and therefore cancelled the 2 September 2021 publication. There are currently no plans to include this data in future updates.
Figures include data from all NHS organisations in Wales from 14 March 2020, apart from Swansea Bay who were unable to provide data on the same basis as the other organisations until 20 May 2020. Since 17 August 2020, all organisations submit a return on a Tuesday, providing data for the previous day (Monday). From 21 June 2021, we moved this collection from weekly to fortnightly, however due to increased demand for information on NHS staff absence this collection returned to weekly from 3 January 2022.
Cardiff and Vale submitted weekly data between 22 June 2020 and 7 June 2021. Prior to that, Cardiff and Vale submitted daily data but were unable to submit data for Saturdays or Sundays, so weekly averages were based on data for Mondays to Fridays only. Velindre submitted weekly data between 28 July 2020 and 17 August 2020.
Changes in the way the data was collected in Betsi Cadwaladr from 8 June 2020 improved data accuracy. As a result, there was a reduction in the total number of staff reported as absent and in the number of staff whose absence was due to COVID-19.
From 27 July 2020, the number of students (which form part of the 'other staff group') was down by more than 200 across both Cardiff and Vale and Cwm Taf Morgannwg health boards following the end of their studies or short term contracts.
Following a change in the shielding guidance on 16 August 2020, organisations reported a drop in staff self isolation for the week commencing 11 August 2020.
