Health trusts in England lost an average of 4.5% of working time to sick leave in 2005, a survey by the NHS's Information Centre.

The survey also found that health service staff in the north east and north west were most likely to take sick days. A total of 5.3% of working time was lost to sickness absence in the north east, compared with 4.1% in London and the south east.

Hospital trusts recorded an absence rate of 4.4%. Staff working in the administrative, strategic and special health authorities were least likely to be away ill (2.8%).

People working for the ambulance service had most days off due to sickness, with an absence rate of 6%.

A separate joint survey by the Confederation of British Industry and insurance group AXA found absence levels were 30% higher across all public sector organisations than in the private sector.