These are the figures Social Security Minister Romain Schneider relayed in response to Christian Social People's Party (CSV) MP Marc Spautz. He also revealed that 1 in 5 did not turn up to their allotted appointment with the controlling physician.
As a matter of fact, 12,000 people in 2018, and 6,700 people in 2017, did not even get around to seeing an appointed medical practitioner because they were already back at work before an appointment had been set.
About 10% of those who did see a doctor were sent back to work, however nearly 1 in 4 patients disagreed with the decision and made an appeal with the CNS' administrative board.
How many long-term sick leave certificates are provided for which illnesses has only been statistically analysed since the beginning of this year, which means the first figures stemming from the first half of the year are to be approached with caution.
Most sick notes were granted for reasons linked to bone, muscle or tendon issues, and these constituted around 6,000 of them (in the last 6 months). The second most frequent cause, in 4,300 cases, was related to mental or behavioural disorders. About 2,200 were excused under grounds of traumatic injuries, poisoning or other injuries. Finally, 1,100 people were unable to work due to a tumour of some kind.
