Briefing / The NHS finance function in 2022: England

Since 2009, the HFMA has collaborated with SDN and its predecessor, the NHS Finance Skills Development Network (FSD), to produce reports analysing the national finance function. The aim is to develop a better understanding of the make-up of the NHS finance function and how it has changed over time. The HFMA staff attitudes survey is carried out to help understand the qualifications, career path, morale and development needs of NHS finance staff.

The census data, collected from October 2022 to February 2023, covers the number of NHS finance staff in post at the end of September 2022. All NHS trusts and integrated care boards completed the return in 2022. The staff attitudes survey was collected in November 2022 with a response rate of 748 staff, an increase from 639 in 2019.

The report shows that the number of finance staff has remained relatively stable between 2019 and 2022 despite last year’s significant restructuring and the move to system working. As well as staff numbers, the report covers the numbers of organisations, roles and qualifications, diversity and staff attitudes. Further diversity metric reports will also be shared with individual providers and integrated care boards.