HEALTH chiefs have revealed that sickness absence at an East Lancashire hospital has been slashed.

Figures released today showed there was a massive 52 per cent reduction in lost days at Calderstones hospital between 1994/95 and 1995/96.

And the number of average days absence a year per employee was almost halved from 28 to 15 days.

The trust introduced two incentive schemes including a £100 award for full-time staff who had a 100 per cent attendance record over the 12 months.

The other was a monthly staff draw where £500 travel vouchers were the prizes.

Trust chairman Christine Kirk said: "These are remarkable results and although we don't have a monetary value it must be substantial."

The trust is examining other methods of rewarding punctual staff this year. One option is to replace the cash incentives with for 100 per cent attendance with an extra two days annual leave.

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