NHS Birmingham 'key changes' after concern over staff sickness in these city hospitalsA report presented to the University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB) NHS Foundation Trust Board of Directors said the 'figures remain high'View Image Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham (Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service)Worries have emerged regarding alarming staff illness levels at Birmingham hospitals as the winter period draws near. ‌Figures presented to the University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB) NHS Foundation Trust Board of Directors revealed an overall yearly sickness rate of 5.6 per cent in August, exceeding their own four per cent target. ‌READ NEXT: New rules for living in Bridget Jones' Cotswolds village about to be introducedA report to members also indicated that an examination of sickness absence management had been conducted, with modifications implemented to help reduce these statistics. The report to the Board said: "Colleagues, led by the Head of Group Corporate Services, have undertaken an extensive review of the current Sickness Absence and Attendance Management Procedure. Article continues below"The procedure has had a complete overhaul, with key changes to both streamlining and simplifying the process.