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

BMJ 2026

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Authors: Jack Elliott, Elaine A Kelly
DOI: 10.1136/bmj.s254
Cited by: 1
References: 3

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

Fields of Study & Subjects

Healthcare Systems and Challenges Employment and Welfare Studies Global Socioeconomic and Political Dynamics

Publication details

Journal / source
BMJ
Publisher
BMJ
Volume
392
Pages
s254–s254
Publication date
19 February 2026
Language
EN