A Financial Health Kick for 2026: NHS Staff Edition

Winter is the busiest time of the year for the NHS. But if you get chance, it’s really helpful to assess your circumstances and set some small, achievable goals for the 12 months ahead.

We understand how financial wellbeing can drop down your priority list with unpredictable rotas and ongoing pressure on services. But money stress affects sleep, energy levels and emotional resilience, which are all crucial for a demanding role in healthcare.

Even a small financial health kick in 2026 can give NHS workers a chance to regain control and build stability for the year ahead.

1. Set realistic resolutions for 2026

29% of Brits made new year’s resolutions relating to finances for 2025. But before diving into goals for the coming year, it’s worth reviewing your finances in the past 12 months.

NHS pay can vary month to month if you rely on enhancements, overtime or bank shifts. With that in mind, it’s helpful to separate your baseline income from your variable income.

Then review your 2025 bank statements and identify recurring costs, unnecessary subscriptions, forgotten direct debits or bills that have crept up.

Related: Budget Health Check: Money Advice for NHS Staff

Once you understand your spending habits, set two or three clear goals for 2026. These should be achievable and specific. For example:

• Build a £1,000 emergency fund
• Pay off £500 of credit card debt
• Save for a relocation or training course
• Reduce reliance on overdraft use

Use your rota to your advantage and schedule money check-ins around quieter weeks or days off. Aligning financial goals with your lifestyle is key to making them stick.

2. Make the most of the NHS pay structure

Understanding your pay is one of the most underrated ways to improve your financial health. Many staff aren’t fully aware of how increments work or how enhancements should appear on their payslip.

Key checks include:

• Band and pay step: Ensure you’re on the correct step for your years of service.
• Enhancements: Night shifts, unsocial hours, weekends and on-call payments should be calculated correctly. Mistakes happen more often than people realise.
• Backpay: If you’ve changed role, progressed a band or completed training, check that all changes have been applied.

Taking 10 minutes each month to review your payslip can prevent you from missing money you’re entitled to.

3. Build (or strengthen) your emergency fund

Shift work can create volatile monthly income, especially for those on bank contracts or relying on overtime. An emergency fund provides a financial buffer that protects you if you have fewer shifts one month or unexpected expenses.

If you’re starting from scratch, aim initially for £300 to £1,000. If you already have a cushion, try to save the equivalent of one month’s essential expenses over the year. A smart tactic is to automatically send part of your overtime or bank shift earnings straight into savings before it blends into regular spending.

Round-up saving apps and automatic transfers can make this painless, especially when you’re too busy to think about it.

4. Improve your credit score in 2026

A healthy credit score can reduce your borrowing costs and give you more options when you need them. NHS staff face some unique challenges like frequent house moves (especially trainees and rotational staff) and shift fatigue that makes admin easy to overlook.

To boost your score:

• Register on the electoral roll at your current address.
• Set up automatic payments for bills to avoid missed deadlines.
• Keep credit utilisation low (ideally under 30% of your limit).
• Avoid multiple credit applications close together.

Regularly check your credit reports for errors, especially after moving or changing contracts.

5. Reduce debt strategically

Debt can feel overwhelming, especially during months when your rota is lighter or overtime isn’t available. A structured repayment plan helps you regain control.

The most cost-effective approach is to tackle the highest-interest debt first and save the most money overall. This is known as the avalanche method. If you struggle to stay motivated, you could try the snowball method instead. This is where you pay off the smallest balance first to build confidence and momentum.

Choose the method you’re most likely to stick with. Consider consolidating high-interest debts or using 0% balance transfer cards, but only after carefully reviewing terms and ensuring you won’t fall into higher costs later.

If debt feels unmanageable, organisations like StepChange, National Debtline, MoneyHelper and Citizens Advice provide free, confidential support.

6. Borrow wisely in 2026

Borrowing is a useful financial tool when it’s done responsibly. You might need a lump sum for training or relocation. Or it can work out cheaper to pay upfront for things like transport or household costs.

The key is making sure new borrowing fits your long-term reality. Before taking out a loan or credit agreement:

• Compare interest rates and total repayment costs – more in ’How to Find the Cheapest Loans for NHS Staff’
• Check for penalties on early repayments.
• Avoid high-cost credit providers.
• Consider waiting a few weeks to see if the purchase still feels essential.

For staff who commute between sites or rely on night-shift travel, car-related borrowing should be costed carefully to avoid being caught out later. This is covered in our guide to affordability for NHS loans.

7. Maximise NHS benefits & staff discounts

This is where NHS staff have a real advantage. There are significant benefits that often go unused. Consider:

• NHS Pension Scheme: One of the strongest pension schemes available. Review your contributions and your annual statement.
• Salary sacrifice schemes: Including lease cars, tech purchases, Cycle to Work and childcare support.
• NHS staff discounts: Blue Light Card, Health Service Discounts and local offers. These can reduce everyday costs significantly.
• Credit union partnerships: Many trusts offer workplace savings and low-cost loans. Metro Moneywise also extends membership to anyone working in the NHS.
• Union benefits: Legal cover, insurance discounts, grants and wellbeing funds.

Spending 15-20 minutes reviewing your trust’s staff benefits page can uncover valuable savings.

8. Adopt rota-friendly financial habits

Finally, be sure to tailor your financial routines to the realities of shift work. This working pattern can make traditional budgeting difficult, so adapt your money habits to your schedule.

• Do financial admin on days off, not after a run of nights.
• Use automation to avoid missed payments.
• Build your budget around your minimum guaranteed income and treat overtime as irregular.

These small adjustments remove the stress of trying to manage money when you’re exhausted.

See also: Coping with Christmas Costs: 7 Tips for Healthcare Heroes on the Job

A healthier financial year ahead

Improving your financial wellbeing is about adopting steady habits that make everyday life easier. By understanding your pay, strengthening your savings, reducing debt and making the most of NHS benefits, you give yourself greater stability and peace of mind.

With small, consistent steps, 2026 can be the year your money feels calmer, clearer and more in your control.

If you need a dependable place to save or borrow, Metro Moneywise Credit Union is ready and waiting. Membership is available to anyone working for the NHS in any capacity. Whether you’re a nurse, porter, administrator or doctor, we provide safe savings and responsible loans for all NHS workers with lifelong financial support. Become a member today or get in touch with our team if you have any questions.