Dear Western Health and Social Care Trust (Northern Ireland),

What are current policies within WHSCT on staff absences due to sickness, pregnancy or other permitted absence, including the following:

1. What is the maximum period for which a staff member may be off sick before a medical or other review is carried out?

2. What are options for employer or employee if a employee remains absent after maximum period referred to above?

3. What arrangements are made by WHSCT for reassigning duties of absent employee during period of absence?

For the year ended 31 March 2014, how many hours/days/weeks (whichever is the standard measurement) absences in total for whatever reason have been recorded for each of the following programmes of care:

1 Older Persons Services
2 Adults with mental Health
3 Adults with Learning Disabilities
4 Adults with Physical or Sensory Disabilities or Autism?
5 Children and Womens' Directorate

How many temporary contracts were completed for employment of staff to replace absent employees?

Yours faithfully,

Joan Corrigan