We are currently seeing high levels of sickness absence across the Trust, which is impacting our staffing levels in wards and departments. We are continuing to look at ways to support colleagues whilst maintaining safe and effective service delivery.

In the meantime, please take a moment to familiarise yourself with the requirements for reporting sickness absence within your local area, alongside the Trust Attendance Management policy.

During working hours:

• Non-clinical colleagues should contact their ward manager or team leader by phone call as soon as possible if you are unable to attend work due to illness
• For colleagues working in clinical areas, providing as much notice as possible helps managers make appropriate staffing arrangements to maintain safe patient care. If this falls outside of working hours please follow the steps below.

Out of hours and weekends:

• Non-clinical colleagues should follow their department's local reporting arrangements.
• Colleagues working in clinical areas: please contact the Clinical Site Matron via switchboard, giving as much notice as possible prior to the start of your shift.

Reporting absence promptly helps us maintain safe care for our patients and supports for colleagues who may need to provide cover.