Health

Sector introduction

The health sector covers a range of activities focused on human health. It includes hospitals, general practice, dental practice and specialist health practitioners.

The health sector represents one of the largest sectors of employment within UK. In 2008, it employed just under 2 million people (1,928,200) in the UK [Skills for Health LMI National Reports] and accounted for 7% of the whole workforce and 8% of total UK GDP [Gross domestic product (GDP) refers to the market value of all final goods and services produced within a country in a given period.]. Hospitals are by far the largest sub-sector. Around a quarter of workers are employed in the independent sector. In addition to this, there are also a large number of volunteers helping to support a wide range of services, though their numbers are more difficult to quantify.

Employment within the sector grew by around a quarter between 1999 and 2008; this growth was supported by increased government investment in the National Health Service over the period. There has been a slight reduction in overall employment numbers since 2006. It is anticipated that in the short term employment across the sector will remain stable or reduce slightly; this is a by-product of the need for the sector to make efficiency savings in line with the financial settlements for the NHS. Growth will be severely constrained over the short to medium term, perhaps with some decreases in overall levels of employment in some staff groups over the short term.

Occupations that may see a decrease include administrative and managerial roles as employers across the sector seek to increase productivity and efficiency whilst protecting front-line services for patients.