GLASGOW’S health board has taken on more employee counsellors to deal with soaring levels of stress-related sick leave in the city’s hospitals and health centres.

Official documents state NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is to increase the level of support available to employees to deal with the “high number of absences categorised as stress, anxiety and depression.”

The health board said line managers were also being given training to improve awareness and understanding of mental health.

The overall absence rate board-wide in December was 5.9%, exceeding the board’s target of 4%. However, across facilities and estates management, the figure was 9% for that month.

The board said line managers will also be subject to weekly and monthly performance reviews, which will continue until staffing levels have improved.