What are the NHS benefits for staff?
The non-financial rewards of working for the NHS speak for themselves. It's about saving lives and providing the best care possible to your patients, as well as being part of a team of talented, passionate and caring people.
But what about salaries and other benefits? With over 1.3 million employees (and over 350 different NHS careers), NHS England is by far the country's largest employer, the British army coming a distant second with around 125,000 people on the payroll. As you'd expect, the NHS benefits for staff is offers one of the most competitive and flexible benefit packages available from any UK employer.
So, what benefits do you get working for the NHS? Here's an overview:
NHS salaries and NHS annual leave entitlement
All NHS employees are guaranteed a salary that matches their ability and responsibilities. The national pay system for the NHS, Agenda for Change, applies to all directly employed staff except doctors and the most senior managers. The general terms of an NHS employment contract include a standard working week of 37.5 hours and NHS annual leave entitlement is 27 days per year (rising to 33 days after 10 years of service) plus eight general and public holidays. There are also pay enhancements to reward out-of-hours and overtime working and an annual personal development review to support career aspirations.
Read more about the NHS pay deal 2022.
NHS induction
All new starters are required to attend a trust induction, designed to integrate them into the organisation as seamlessly as possible. The NHS induction will include all the important information you need to know, for example staff support, security and car parking. You'll also have access to a series of e-assessments and e-learning modules on subjects that are relevant to your role.
So, do you get paid for your NHS induction? The answer is yes. The process could take up to four to five days and new starters are always paid for their time.
NHS pension scheme
The NHS Pension Scheme is one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK. Every new employee automatically becomes a member, giving them access to excellent pension benefits on retirement.
If you are an overseas worker, find out more about UK pensions and opting out.
NHS work life balance
The NHS recognises the importance of empowering employees to achieve a healthy work life balance. The Improving Working Lives (IWL) initiative was introduced in 2000 by the Department of Health and has helped to reduce stress, increase motivation and improve productivity by offering flexible working.
Read more about the NHS working hours.
NHS employment policy
The NHS employment policy is in-place to ensure fair rates of pay for all staff across the whole healthcare system. It provides training and personal development opportunities, enabling people to develop their skills and knowledge to reach their full potential.
NHS discounts
Many local and national businesses provide discounts and reward schemes for NHS workers to show their appreciation for the vital work they do. From low-cost travel to restaurant discounts, employees can enjoy a wide range of benefits. In most cases, all you have to is show your NHS ID card. Find out more about these rewards or purchase an NHS blue light card.
Other NHS benefits include training, occupational health services and study leave for sponsored courses.
Find out more about the NHS, such as how the NHS is funded and how many patients are treated by the NHS.
