Just one in 41 working days lost due to Covid at Sheffield Children's Hospital

But the Royal College of Nursing warned hospitals elsewhere can "ill-afford to lose more staff" amid the predicted second wave, and that rapid testing must be a priority as cases start to rise once more.

NHS Digital data shows 226 working days were lost due to Covid-19 absence at Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust between March and May. It means the virus was responsible for just two per cent of the 9,322 total days lost due to sickness over the three months – one of the lowest proportions among NHS trusts in England.

READ MOR E: At least 20 new Covid-19 cases confirmed in three Sheffield neighbourhoods

However the NHS has urged caution over the figures, as trusts were not required to use the new coronavirus absence code or instructed on how to use it when it was introduced in March.

Most Covid-related absences at Sheffield Children's Hospital were reported in March, when 104 days were lost. The figures include staff who contracted the virus, as well as those who had to quarantine because a family member showed symptoms, because of travel restrictions or because they had been advised to by contact tracers.

They do not show how many NHS staff were affected.

Across England, however, more than 1.3 million days of work were lost in the NHS due to coronavirus-related sickness between March and May.

Nick Parker, Executive Director of People and Organisational Development at Sheffield Children's Hospital said: “Our colleagues have a crucial role in the pandemic response, and to help them look after others, we need to look after them. That's why we've invested in the health and wellbeing of our staff, expanding existing services and creating new ones, such as mental health and wellbeing support, both online and over the phone. We have also worked swiftly during the pandemic to make sure our work places are as safe as possible, alongside encouraging colleagues to work from home where they can.”

Health think tank The King's Fund said the pandemic has highlighted the "exceptional commitment" of NHS staff to ensuring the health system can cope, but warned it has taken a toll on their mental health.

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