NHS Top Five Largest Employers Globally
The NHS is indeed a very large employer, often cited as one of the biggest in the world. While some sources place it as high as fifth, it’s more accurately described as one of the top five largest employers globally. It is the largest employer in Europe and the largest employer of highly skilled professionals according to the NHS Long Term Plan. HCHS Stands for Hospital and Community Health Services, which is a specific employment category within the NHS.
Here’s A More Detailed Breakdown:
- Rankings: Various sources place the NHS fifth, but sometimes sixth or even higher.
- Employees: The NHS in England alone employs around 1.34 million full-time equivalent staff.
- Global Comparison: The NHS employs more people than some large organisations like the China National Petroleum Corporation, but it is smaller than the US Department of Defense and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army.
- Other Top Employers : Walmart and Amazon also have very large workforces.
- Overall:The NHS is a significant employer both within the UK and internationally.
How Many NHS Hospital Trusts Are There In The UK?
There are 202 NHS trusts in the UK as of mid-2025, including 10 ambulance trusts. These trusts manage hospitals and other healthcare services across the country. The number can fluctuate as new trusts are created or existing ones merge.
How Many NHS Hospitals Are There In England?
Working out the number of hospitals in England is challenging. All NHS hospitals are managed by acute, mental health, specialist or community trusts, and as of mid 2024 there were 215 trusts, including 10 ambulance trusts.
According to Interweave HealthCare there are 704 NHS hospitals in England. These hospitals are managed by 215 NHS trusts across the UK. While the number of trusts doesn’t directly correlate with the number of hospitals, as some trusts operate multiple hospitals.
NHS Hospitals And Services In Wales
There are 84 NHS hospitals in Wales. This represents approximately 9% of all UK NHS hospitals. Wales has 7 local health boards and 3 NHS trusts that oversee these hospitals and other healthcare services. NHS Wales employs over 110,000 people, making it the largest employer in Wales. This represents approximately one in twelve working individuals in the country. The workforce includes a wide range of professionals, from medical and dental staff to nursing, midwifery, and healthcare assistants.
There are seven Local Health Boards that oversee the NHS hospitals and services in Wales, but there isn’t a single number for the total number of hospitals. These health boards operate under the direction of the Welsh Government, which sets the healthcare strategy for Wales.
Unlike in England, there isn’t a single legal body called NHS Wales. Instead, NHS Wales is a collection of organisations including the seven local health boards, three NHS trusts, and two special health authorities, according to NHS Confederation.
The Seven Health Boards In Wales Are:
Responsible For : These boards are responsible for planning, securing, and delivering healthcare services within their respective areas. HCHS doctors are medical professionals working within the Hospital and Community Health Services (HCHS) of the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK.
This category includes doctors employed by the NHS in hospitals and community settings, but excludes those working in primary care (like GPs) or private healthcare.
HCHS: Stands for Hospital and Community Health Services, which is a specific employment category within the NHS.
Doctors: This refers to medical practitioners who are employed by the NHS within the HCHS framework.
Exclusions: HCHS doctors do not include GPs, dentists in primary care, or doctors working in the private sector.
NHS Data: The NHS provides detailed statistics on the number and characteristics of HCHS doctors, including breakdowns by specialty, grade, and gender.
Employment: HCHS doctors are employed directly by the NHS, unlike some other medical professionals who may be contractors or work in the private sector.