SICKNESS among nurses across North Wales has cost the health board nearly £1m, and the figure is not expected to fall for some time.

The shock figure is revealed in a report by director of performance Dr Jill Newman to today’s meeting of the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.

In January absence levels among all staff reached 5.88 per cent, compared with 5. 26 per cent in the same month last year.

During the month 2,876 staff reported sick, a huge increase of 930 on December.

The highest level of 8.05 per cent was among additional clinical services, with 7.58 per cent in the estates and facilities department and 6.11 per cent among nurses.

Dr Newman says the nurses’ absence cost nearly £1m in sick pay alone and resulted in “significant demand” for bank and agency staff.

The main reason for absence remains stress, anxiety and other mental health issues.

“Occupational health is focussing on mental health illnesses and fast-tracking cases through to counselling,” says the report.

“Research has demonstrated the use of adjusted duties to allow an earlier return reduces the onset of depression and other mental health issues.”

A separate report to the board states there are currently about 500 vacancies for registered nurses across the region, which is around 10 per cent of the workforce.

“This is a real challenge for the health board and across the NHS in the UK,” it states. “From October to December 2017 the board spent £2.9m on nursing and midwifery agency alone.”

Over the next five years about 230 nurses and midwives are expected to leave each year, with only 170 nurses qualifying each year and likely to be appointed by the board. By 2023 it is projected that there will be 246 vacancies.

The report continues: “Uncertainties around the effect of Brexit have resulted in more challenges in recruiting European Union national staff, although it is acknowledged that this is a small group in BCUHB.”

The board is taking various steps to plug the gaps. In March, 2017, a recruitment drive in India resulted in 75 nurses being offered appointments but that has since reduced to 37 because of language requirements and problems in obtaining work visas. Some of the nurses are due to start work in the next couple of months.