NHS England data has revealed that a total of 11.17 million sick notes were issued last year, with 93% (10.37 million) being classed as 'not fit to work' and 8% (923,328) advising a phased return to work, altered hours and amended duties. Of these, 59% were issued to women (6.57 million), while 41% were issued to men (4.6 million).
Meanwhile, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has reported that 148.8 million working days were lost in 2025. Although this is approximately 100,000 fewer working days than in 2024, it remains almost 10 million more than pre-pandemic levels.
The most common reason was mental and behavioural disorders, accounting for 932,100 (36%) of the 2.61 million diagnosed sick notes in 2025, while musculoskeletal conditions accounted for 468,010 (18%). Meanwhile, 8.28 million sick notes issued in 2025 were not related to any diagnosis.
In addition to this, the ONS found that a quarter (24.7%) of people attempting to contact their GP practice in March 2026 were unable to get through on the same day, and almost a fifth (18.9%) of NHS hospital waiting list patients reported having been waiting for more than 12 months for treatment.
Jamie Burdess, principal consultant at Broadstone, said: "When more than 10 million people are being signed off as unfit for work, it raises questions about whether the sick note system is working as intended. In too many cases, it appears to be supporting a complete exit from the workforce, rather than enabling people to stay in or return to work.
"While workplace sickness absence has improved slightly from post-pandemic highs, it remains concerningly high.
"Access constraints within the NHS, from GP appointment delays to long treatment waiting lists, remain a key driver. When care is delayed, conditions are more likely to worsen, particularly mental health and musculoskeletal issues, the leading causes of sick notes.
"This is contributing to a growing number of people exiting the workforce due to ill health and struggling to return, creating a dual challenge for employers around retention and productivity.
"In response, employers are shifting towards prevention and early intervention, with greater use of health screening, private GP access and structured wellbeing support services to identify and manage issues earlier.
"Without improved access to timely diagnosis and treatment, pressure on the workforce is likely to continue. As a result, we expect continued growth in employer investment in private healthcare and wellbeing solutions, in line with the Keep Britain Working Review, as organisations focus on managing absence and strengthening workforce resilience."
