More than 80 per cent of nurses and midwives reported for work at some stage over the last year while feeling unwell, a new study has found.

The study, commissioned by the Irish Nurses’ and Midwives’ Organisation, found a quarter of nurses and midwives said they had turned up for work at least once while feeling sick in the last year. Nearly 50 per cent said this had happened between two and five times while 10 per cent maintained it had happened more than five times.

About a third of nurses and midwives surveyed said they had worked for three to five days while feeling unwell. Nine per cent said they had turned up for work for 10 days while not well.

The report says the main reason for their showing up for work while unwell was that they “did not wish to let the team down” as they were already short-staffed.

“Other reasons which were relatively high include fear of losing pay/sick leave (staff were concerned they could have more serious illness in the future), pressure from management to attend because of staff shortages and concern for patient care.”

Staff turning up for work when ill is known as presenteeism – as distinct from absenteeism, when staff do not attend for work.

The report says it found a statistically significant difference between ages with regard to presenteeism.

“Between the ages of 19-25, 26-35 and 36-45, the older the nurses and midwives are the more likely they are to attend work while unwell. However, between the ages of 46-55 and 56-65, the older nurses and midwives are the less likely they are to attend work while unwell.”

The study also found that those on 12-hour shifts rather than eight-hour shifts were more likely to attend work while unwell.

It says that showing up for work while unwell has negative implications for the wellbeing of nurses and midwives.

It also says “nurses themselves perceive that when they show up for work while sick the quality of patient care that they deliver is reduced”.

The report says “overall, 41 per cent of nurses and midwives feel that their health and wellbeing are not important to the HSE/voluntary hospital in which they are employed”.

“Indeed, 87 per cent of nurses and midwives perceive that that their employer does not promote staying well in the workplace.”

The study was carried out by academics at Dublin City University and involved nearly 1,500 nurses and midwives.