NHS sick list hitting patients, says shock report

The quality of patient care is also being affected by obesity, smoking and poor mental health among staff, according to the study.

Researchers found that hospitals with worse staff health are less productive and have higher rates of superbug infection, unnecessary use of agency workers and higher patient death rates.

Details of what is being described as the first national audit of NHS staff habits have been published in The Times newspaper. The audit's compiler, leading occupational health expert Dr Steve Boorman will present his review today.

Other findings about the NHS's 1.4 million staff are said to include:

* More than one in five staff smokes, with about 40,000 NHS workers smoking more than 20 cigarettes a day.

* More than a third of workers have moderate to very poor mental health, with many expressing concern about intimidation from patients and relatives.

* Approximately 40% of staff exercise less than three times a week.

* More than three-quarters of staff think that the state of their health affects patient care.

Dr Boorman told The Times that staff health must become a core standard, with all trusts judged annually by the health regulator.

"It is ironic that the NHS is trying to focus on the public health agenda yet not making it available to its own staff, because staff should be exemplars," he said.

"The key finding of this review is that health and wellbeing of staff is very important to the quality of patient care, and there are good reasons for prioritising investment in it."

The audit comes as figures show the number of claims against the NHS for clinical negligence has risen by 11%.

Data uncovered by the Conservatives also reveal a rise in the amount paid out by the NHS for claims, from £661 million in 2007/08 to £807 million in 2008/09.

The Department of Health (DH) said it welcomed Dr Boorman's report as an "important initiative".

A spokesman said: "The report makes a strong case for change, and we eagerly await the conclusion of Dr Boorman's review and the final report and recommendations which are due in the Autumn.

"In the meantime, the DH and NHS will need to consider very carefully the implications of the findings so far and the impact that staff health and well-being has on NHS productivity and quality of care.

"Dr Boorman has identified many examples of best practice that we can all learn from and make a positive change for all NHS staff."