Total number of support staff for doctors, nurses, and midwives in the NHS Hospital and Community Health Service (HCHS) workforce in England from 2009 to 2024
Characteristic
Number of support staff
2024
297,054
2023
299,125
2022
284,941
2021
277,947
2020
270,126
2019
258,499
2018
247,390
2017
243,901
2016
240,012
2015
233,404
2014
225,128
2013
217,429
2012
214,116
2011
216,958
2010
223,550
2009
223,064
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Full-time equivalents as of November of each year.
Supplementary notes
Support to doctor, nurses and midwives includes nursing, health visiting and midwifery learners; nursing support staff; clerical and administrative; estates (maintenance and works).
Citation formats
NHS workforce: number of support staff in HCHS England 2009-2024
From 2009 to 2024, the number of support staff for doctors, nurses, and midwives in England's National Health Service (NHS) overall increased, reaching roughly 297 thousand full-time equivalent employees as of November 2024. This number is down from the 299 thousand reported a year prior.
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NHS Digital. (February 26, 2025). Total number of support staff for doctors, nurses, and midwives in the NHS Hospital and Community Health Service (HCHS) workforce in England from 2009 to 2024 [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved July 28, 2026, from /statistics/679602/number-of-support-staff-in-nhs-workforce-england/
NHS Digital. "Total number of support staff for doctors, nurses, and midwives in the NHS Hospital and Community Health Service (HCHS) workforce in England from 2009 to 2024." Chart. February 26, 2025. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed July 28, 2026. /statistics/679602/number-of-support-staff-in-nhs-workforce-england/
NHS Digital. (2025). Total number of support staff for doctors, nurses, and midwives in the NHS Hospital and Community Health Service (HCHS) workforce in England from 2009 to 2024. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 28, 2026. /statistics/679602/number-of-support-staff-in-nhs-workforce-england/
NHS Digital. "Total Number of Support Staff for Doctors, Nurses, and Midwives in The Nhs Hospital and Community Health Service (Hchs) Workforce in England from 2009 to 2024." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 26 Feb 2025, /statistics/679602/number-of-support-staff-in-nhs-workforce-england/
NHS Digital, Total number of support staff for doctors, nurses, and midwives in the NHS Hospital and Community Health Service (HCHS) workforce in England from 2009 to 2024 ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/679602/number-of-support-staff-in-nhs-workforce-england/ (last visited July 28, 2026)
Total number of support staff for doctors, nurses, and midwives in the NHS Hospital and Community Health Service (HCHS) workforce in England from 2009 to 2024 [Graph], NHS Digital, February 26, 2025. [Online]. Available: /statistics/679602/number-of-support-staff-in-nhs-workforce-england/
