Revealed: The area in England with the most people signed off work

Francesca Specter
Some 6.9 million sick notes were issued in the UK last year. [Photo: Getty]
Some 6.9 million sick notes were issued in the UK last year. [Photo: Getty]

Sick notes, now officially known as “fit notes”, are issued by GPs in order to sign people off work following an initial seven day absence.

Some 6.9 million notes were issued across England between April and December last year, according to official figures from NHS Digital.

The number of people issued with sick notes in the latest month figures – based on December 2018 – varied significantly in different areas across the country, the data shows.

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In Knowsley, Merseyside, as many as 3,125 sick notes were issued per 100,000 people last month.

Halton in Cheshire was closely behind, with some 3,043 individuals signed off work.

This is compared to just 688 in Westminster, Central London.

Areas with the most sick notes per 100,000 population

  • Knowsley (Merseyside) - 3,125

  • Halton (Cheshire) - 3,043

  • South Sefton (Merseyside) - 3,028

  • Sunderland (Tyne and Wear) - 2,992

  • Corby (Northamptonshire) - 2,963

Areas with the least sick notes per 100,000 population

  • Westminster (central London) - 688

  • Camden (north London) - 711

  • Milton Keynes (Buckinghamshire) - 800

  • Richmond (southwest London) - 802

  • Wandsworth (south London) - 918

Why are people being issued with sick notes?

Out of the 6.9 million people signed off work between April and December 2018, 3.9 million sick notes were issued to women (56.7%) and 3.0 million were issued to men (43.3%).

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Of these, some 93.1% were declared “not fit for work” and 6.9% were declared “maybe fit for work”.

Mental and behavioural disorders was the most common reason for people being signed off work during this period, accounting for some 32.9% being issued sick notes.

The second most common reason, accounting for 16.7% of cases, was for musculoskeletal issues involving muscles, bones, tendons, blood vessels, nerves and other soft tissues.

Earlier this week, it was revealed why you should avoid seeing your doctor after lunchtime.

Many doctors feel so ‘drained’ by the afternoon that their performance may be compromised, according to new research.

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