Managing short-term sickness absence well is essential to us being able to maintain safe staffing levels, support team wellbeing, and ensure the continuity of high-quality patient care here at CHFT.

We recognise that colleagues may occasionally need time away from work due to illness. Frequent short-term absences can have a significant impact on service delivery, resulting in increased pressure on colleagues, challenges in covering shifts, and potential risks to workforce resilience.

How we're supporting colleagues who have been off sick

To support staff recovery and wellbeing, employees returning from sickness absence will no longer be authorised to undertake additional bank, overtime, or extra shifts for a period of two weeks following their return to work. This is to ensure individuals have sufficient opportunity to recover fully and reduce the risk of further illness.

Matrons/Service Leads and Ward/Team managers will receive a copy of the Short Term Sickness and Absence Principles guidance. Please ensure colleagues see a copy of the flowchart included with it.

Please report sickness absence promptly

Reporting absence promptly helps us maintain safe care for our patients and allows us to plan so that wards and departments have the support they need. 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.