[UK] Bailiffs used to pursue NHS staff for overpayments after payroll errors

In the UK, a BBC investigation has discovered that NHS payroll errors have led to thousands of staff being referred to debt collectors, BBC News reports.

According to NHS data obtained by Freedom of Information requests, referrals to bailiffs to collect overpaid wages rose from 1,807 in 2020-21 to 2,683 in 2024-25.

NHS workers who spoke to the BBC reportedly said that these referrals have left them upset, stressed and, in some cases, in debt.

In response to the BBC’s findings, a spokesperson for NHS England stated that it would now be seeking to improve its payroll processes.

"We have immediately established a payroll improvement programme after hearing about these awful cases and the distress caused, helping to substantially reduce payroll errors for the dozens of NHS trusts taking part," Tom Simons - chief HR officer at NHS England - said.

Health minister Karin Smyth reportedly said, "NHS staff should not be out of pocket, threatened and pursued ruthlessly due to errors made by their employers.

"If trusts make errors with overpayments, we expect them to show a compassionate and reasonable approach with staff."

A Scottish Government spokesperson said, "If any member of staff has been overpaid, we expect employers to work compassionately with individuals to agree a repayment schedule."

A spokesperson for NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership, which provides payroll services to NHS staff in Wales, said "in line with NHS Wales recovery of overpayments guidance, debt collection agencies may be used as a last resort when all local attempts to recover outstanding public monies have been exhausted".

Northern Ireland's Department of Health reportedly said it did not use debt collection agents, but would refer "some debts to small claims court".

Source: BBC News

(Quotes via original reporting)

In the UK, a BBC investigation has discovered that NHS payroll errors have led to thousands of staff being referred to debt collectors, BBC News reports.

According to NHS data obtained by Freedom of Information requests, referrals to bailiffs to collect overpaid wages rose from 1,807 in 2020-21 to 2,683 in 2024-25.

NHS workers who spoke to the BBC reportedly said that these referrals have left them upset, stressed and, in some cases, in debt.

In response to the BBC’s findings, a spokesperson for NHS England stated that it would now be seeking to improve its payroll processes.

"We have immediately established a payroll improvement programme after hearing about these awful cases and the distress caused, helping to substantially reduce payroll errors for the dozens of NHS trusts taking part," Tom Simons - chief HR officer at NHS England - said.

Health minister Karin Smyth reportedly said, "NHS staff should not be out of pocket, threatened and pursued ruthlessly due to errors made by their employers.

"If trusts make errors with overpayments, we expect them to show a compassionate and reasonable approach with staff."

A Scottish Government spokesperson said, "If any member of staff has been overpaid, we expect employers to work compassionately with individuals to agree a repayment schedule."

A spokesperson for NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership, which provides payroll services to NHS staff in Wales, said "in line with NHS Wales recovery of overpayments guidance, debt collection agencies may be used as a last resort when all local attempts to recover outstanding public monies have been exhausted".

Northern Ireland's Department of Health reportedly said it did not use debt collection agents, but would refer "some debts to small claims court".

Source: BBC News

(Quotes via original reporting)