A report to the University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB) NHS Foundation Trust Board of Directors said plans were in place to tackle the issue of people being off work due to illness.
Figures show the level of absence due to sickness stood at 5.53 per cent in March, which is above the UHB target of four per cent.
But this is an improvement from the 6.52 per cent figure which was reported back in December.
The report said: “Sickness absence remains high at 5.53% in month and 5.89% annually.
“A plan is in place to reduce sickness absence which will be monitored through a sickness absence oversight group.
Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. Taken from Google Street View.
“The introduction of a new occupational health system has enabled improved reporting and will support more data-driven and evidence-based interventions to improving the wellbeing of our people.”
Occupational health and counselling service activity also showed an increase in referrals in 2024/25 compared with the year before.
The report said: “The demand for counselling services has increased with 595 new referrals recorded since April 2024.
“Anxiety remains the most common reason for seeking support, with 240 cases identified as non-work related.
“Waiting times for initial appointments have exceeded to three weeks, highlighting the need for additional resources to meet growing demand.
“There have been over 1,000 interactions in Wellbeing Hubs since December 2024.
“Many employees use these spaces for informal conversations, social interactions, and initial guidance before accessing formal support services.
“Stress and anxiety remain the most common concerns, with seasonal peaks around Christmas and New Year.
“Doctors and qualified nurses were the most affected by inoculations injuries, with most injuries resulting from needle or sharp object exposure.
“Fortunately, no cases of blood-borne virus transmission were reported.
“The Health Surveillance program recorded 418 appointments, with a noticeable increase in skin-related assessments.
“This rise is believed to be linked to the introduction of a new soap product,which has led to multiple staff complaints.”