1 in 10 Workers Will Take a Sick Day in the New Year

LONDON -- A staggering 60 percent of working people have admitted that they are likely to take a day off sick in January. Nearly one in four (23 percent) are anticipating entering 2004 with the January blues and 1 in 10 (13 percent) workers admitted they are already planning to pull a 'sickie', rising to over a third (34 percent) of 16-24 year olds.

These results, from a new survey conducted for the Consumer Health Information Centre (CHIC) and DPP: Developing Patient Partnerships, show that many who work are likely to have time off in January for a host of ailments including flu (29 percent), colds (23 percent), headaches and hangovers (13 percent) and stress (12 percent).

Dr Simon Fradd, chairman of DPP said, "Many people waste time seeing their physician for minor ailments,(1) particularly during winter, when in fact there is plenty that people can do for themselves. By using over-the-counter treatments with advice from pharmacists, people can feel better quicker without the hassle of going to the surgery. Pharmacists are experts in medicines and as a doctor I would recommend my patients get their advice on how to cope with minor ailments".

Reference:

(1) Between 20 percent and 40 percent of a physician's time is spent consulting on minor ailments for the general population

Source: Consumer Health Information Centre; Developing Patient Partnerships