HOSPITALS in Glasgow suffered record levels of staff absences this summer – with workers described as “at breaking point”.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s director of HR, Anne MacPherson, said the board had experienced the “highest summer absence” rate recorded this year.

The figures were not revealed in the board papers, but a task force has been appointed to look into the sick leave rate.

Staff will be surveyed about stress levels to help “promote attendance”.

While the health board described the rise as “slight” in a statement to the Evening Times, minutes of the Acute Services Committee meeting state higher than average absence rates were seen across all areas of the sector.

Union officials blamed “chronic short staffing and underfunding” for the rise saying staff were being pushed to “breaking point”.

The papers state: “Regarding sickness absence Mrs MacPherson advised the committee that this year had seen the highest summer absence recorded.”

Patients may have appointments and procedures cancelled when doctors, nurses and other health professionals are off sick.

The Scottish government has set a target rate for sickness absence of four per cent for the health service – although this has never been achieved. 

Figures also show the rate is climbing for the fourth consecutive year to 5.39 per cent in 2017-18. This compares with a low of 4.63 per cent in 2011-12.

Over four years the NHS has lost 45 million hours as a result of staff ill health, additional research has shown.

Meanwhile, the number of GPs seeking specialist help for substance abuse and mental health problems is “increasing day on day,” according to the medical director of an NHS support service for doctors – “surpassing all expectations”.