What does this research mean for the field?

Unpaid overtime in the NHS is declining, which raises questions for workforce planning. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.NOVEL_FINDING. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

The aim is to examine the trends in unpaid overtime among NHS staff and its implications for workforce planning.

February 21, 2026BMJ1 citations

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Unpaid overtime in the NHS is falling—what this means for the workforce

JEJack ElliottHealth Foundation EKElaine KellyInstitute for Fiscal Studies

Key Points

The aim is to examine the trends in unpaid overtime among NHS staff and its implications for workforce planning.
Analysis of data reporting unpaid overtime in NHS staff
Estimation of equivalent full-time employee figures from reported hours
Comparative assessment of recent trends in discretionary effort
In 2024, NHS staff reported unpaid overtime equivalent to 49,000 full-time employees.
A noticeable decline in unpaid overtime is observed compared to previous years.
The reduction raises concerns about future workforce planning strategies in the NHS.

Abstract

In 2024 NHS staff reported working unpaid overtime equivalent to at least 49 000 full time employees. Such discretionary effort has long underpinned NHS service delivery, but recent data show it is declining, find Jack Elliott and Elaine Kelly, raising questions for workforce planning

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Unpaid overtime in the NHS is falling—what this means for the workforce

Key Points

Abstract

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