By Marjory Inglis, health reporter

AN NHS TAYSIDE senior manager yesterday set the record straight on staff absence due to stress.

Mr Alan Boyter, the health authority’s human resources director, apologised for inaccurate information presented to The Courier in response to a Freedom of Information request.

Almost a month after we formally asked how many staff were absent due to stress, how much that cost and if there were compensation claims arising out of stress, NHS Tayside replied such information was not held by the organisation.

In fact stress-related absence is monitored and staff have access to trained psychologists.

In August 2004 health and safety inspectors highlighted the issue of work- related stress. NHS Tayside was told to put a system in place to track the extent of the problem and the cost to the organisation.

Yesterday Mr Boyter gave figures that indicated around 40 people were off work with stress in the three months to December 31, 2006. He emphasised that NHS Tayside took the issue of stress very seriously, did monitor absence levels and was taking action to support staff.

“If we appear to have given The Courier the wrong impression about our position, I apologise and would like to take the opportunity to update your readers on the current position in NHS Tayside,” he said.

“We appreciate that good mental health is important. As an NHS organisation we will work to promote health and prevent illness. Mental health is not just about severe and enduring mental illness but about a wider range of disorders and illnesses, including depression and anxiety. We recognise that stress can contribute to this.”

He said total staff absence over the last quarter, to December 31 last year, was recorded as 5.2%. Asked to relate that to actual numbers, he said there was a whole time equivalent workforce of 11,000 so that worked out at around 550 people off sick. Whole time equivalents mean actual numbers of staff could be higher due to part time working.

“Of that 5.2% off sick, 7% are recorded as stress- related,” said Mr Boyter. “This could be work-related or related to the home or personal issues. In response to your inquiry I can confirm that we currently have no claims against us for work-related stress.

“We have had no such claims in the last 12 months and have none outstanding and about to go to court.

“NHS Tayside is working with the Health and Safety Executive and trades union representatives to put in place an action plan specifically to address the issue of stress in the workplace.

“Currently, through our occupational health and safety service, trained psychologists are available to provide staff with counselling where they would find that helpful.”