HEALTH staff can now qualify for "special leave" as part of a move to make Burnley Health Care Trust more "family friendly".

The policy covers the granting of leave for domestic, personal and family reasons in the event of bereavement, emergencies or other unusual circumstances over and above normal holiday entitlements.

Trust non-executive director Kath Reade said: "It should be recognised that this is quite radical and these proposals are generous,

"In the end the hope is that sickness and absenteeism will reduce in the long term because of this."

Time lost to sickness absence is 4.8 per cent, up from a 4.4 per cent low in June 1998 but below the 5.4 per cent high in February 1997.

The agreement includes two days' paid leave in every 12 months for urgent domestic reasons such as the sudden illness of a close relative, partner or friend; up to a week's leave and further unpaid leave following the death of a close relative, partner or friend; and six weeks paid leave on adoption of a child.

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