The NHS should be doing more to tackle staff sickness and promote workplace health, a think tank says.
Reform, a right-of-centre group, said the health service was "shooting itself in the foot" by not making more use of the expertise it has in its workforce.
Figures show NHS staff take on average nearly 12 days off sick a year, while the rate is 7.2 in the private sector.
Unions said services could be improved, but there were valid reasons why NHS workers took more time off.
A spokeswoman for Unison said: "Occupational health is certainly lacking in places, but the NHS is a unique workplace.
Apparently we are all stressed and feel overstretched and unable to do our jobs properly.
I wonder why ? (sarcasm )