IN the week that cash-strapped Bolton Council has to take the tough decision to close two old people's homes to save money, comes the staggering announcement that days off sick are costing social services chiefs £1.25 million a year.

To rub salt in the wounds, while we're in medical mode, it was revealed last month that sickness cost Bolton Council as £5 million annually - equalling its total package of cuts this year. Council manual workers are taking an average of 20 days a year off sick - that's four working weeks - while white colar staff are out of action for 14 days. Readers who have rarely had a day off work because of illness will by now be reaching for the smelling salts. But hold on to that armchair, because this local authority sickness saga gets even more depressing...

A Bolton Council unit actually exists to monitor sickness and to offer information and advice. But the unit, which involves one full-time nurse, two part-time administrative staff and a doctor who comes in three times a week, does not even have headache tablets. Apparently it is there to "give advice" to folk returning from long-term sickness and to cary out medicals.

Astounded

Social services commitee councillors were said to be astounded on being told the unit was not there to provide treatment. Many will be somewhat more than astounded that something rivalling a neighbourhood medical practice exists at all. The local authority will claim that with 12,000 employees, such a unit is cost-effective and necessary. However, most private companies have a list of keen voluntary first-aiders to whom employees can turn for minor medical help.

The whole situation could form the basis of a farce - if it was not so financially painful for the ratepayers!

We endorse the tough stance that councillors are now taking, by calling on bosses to get tough with staff over time off.

Genuine sickness deserves every help and sympathy and we accept that illness, be it physical or mental, can strike anybody at any time. But there is no doubt that the Council's sick parade needs a serious and thorough examination - and urgent surgery may be necessary if 'the patient' is to become fit and well enough to properly look after the town.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.