ONS figures: Sickness absence days at record high
Responding to the ONS released stats today showing that the number of sickness absence days are at record highs since 2004, Liberal Democrat Health and Social Care Spokesperson Daisy Cooper said:
“Behind these figures are millions of people across the country waiting in pain for treatment. People cannot see their GP when they need to, dental practices are closing their doors to NHS patients, pharmacies are closing and waits for hospital treatment are through the roof.
“It is no wonder that people have no choice but to take time off work. Patients are paying the price for this Conservative Government’s failure to invest in public health and its inability to bring NHS waiting times down and recruit more doctors.
“By running the NHS into the ground, they are not only leaving people waiting in pain and distress, they are now ruining the economy too.
"The Government must come forward with a proper plan to bring down waiting times and recruit more NHS staff, to improve people’s health and allow them to get back to work.”
ENDS
Notes to Editor:
