A new report by the UK’s largest public service union, UNISON, has revealed that many NHS workers are being forced to rely on credit cards, loans, and additional shifts just to cover basic living costs, highlighting growing concerns over pay and financial pressures within the health service.
According to the union, years of pay increases that have failed to keep pace with rising living costs have left many healthcare workers struggling financially. The report found that some staff are taking on extra bank shifts and overtime work, while others are accumulating debt through credit cards to pay household bills and everyday expenses.
UNISON argues that the current NHS pay structure is no longer fit for purpose and is discouraging experienced staff from seeking promotions because the financial rewards often do not adequately reflect the increased responsibilities involved. The union says this is contributing to recruitment and retention challenges across the NHS.
The union is calling on the government to introduce above-inflation pay increases, accelerate long-promised pay structure reforms, and ensure NHS wages remain aligned with the real living wage. It says meaningful action is needed to prevent more healthcare professionals from leaving the service and to improve morale among existing staff.
UNISON Head of Health, Helga Pile, warned that while NHS employees remain deeply committed to patient care, financial pressures are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. The union says many workers are sacrificing their work-life balance by taking on additional shifts simply to make ends meet.
The findings come amid wider debates over public sector pay and NHS workforce shortages. UNISON has repeatedly argued that recent pay awards have been overtaken by rising living costs and that more substantial investment is needed to retain skilled staff and maintain patient services.
The union is urging ministers to take urgent action on NHS pay before financial pressures further deepen the staffing crisis facing the health service.
