A letter to providers announced VSMs working in provider trusts will not be eligible for the 2026/27 pay award where the trust was in NOF segment 4 for at least three of the four quarters of 2025/26 and has an amber-red or red capability rating, unless an exemption applies.
Exemptions for up to 24 months can be made in the event of VSMs taking up a new appointment in an organisation where the award is being withheld and for VSMs in trusts acquiring an organisation ineligible for the award.
NHSE said it is also exploring whether some or all of a withheld pay award could be earned back, subject to demonstrable and sustained organisational improvement.
VSMs working in ICBs will not be subject to national organisational performance-based withholding of the 2026/27 pay award, ahead of full implementation of ICB performance and capability assessments in 2027/28.
The affected trusts are:
East of England
East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust
James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King's Lynn, NHS Foundation Trust
Midlands
Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust
Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
North East and Yorkshire
Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust
York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust
North West
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust
North Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust
Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
South East
Medway NHS Foundation Trust
Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust
South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
South West
Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust
