Referrals to bailiffs to collect overpaid wages have increased from 1,807 in 2020-21 to 2,683 in 2024-25, NHS data obtained by Freedom of Information requests sent to almost every NHS trust in the UK reveals.

The data - from 142 of the 232 trusts and boards contacted - shows that tens of thousands of NHS staff were overpaid every year, and for the period of time covered by the data, the figure has remained roughly the same. However, there has been a steady increase in the number of trusts referring employees and staff being chased by debt collection agencies and bailiffs.

University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust referred 226 former staff to debt collectors last year.

Clare Teeney, chief people officer at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, said: 'We work proactively with colleagues who have been overpaid to agree fair and manageable repayment plans that reflect individual circumstances, and the use of debt collection agencies is always a last resort.

'Salary overpayments are uncommon and account for a very small proportion of UHL's overall pay bill. The increase in 2024/25 primarily relates to a backlog of historic overpayments concerning former employees. For comparison to date in the 2025/26 financial year there have been 20 referrals to debt collection agencies. We apologise to any colleagues who have been affected – we are committed to continue to work with them to provide the right support.'

In response, Tom Simons, chief HR officer at NHS England, said: ‘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.'

Health minister Karin Smyth told the broadcaster: ‘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, told the BBC: '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 said it did not use debt collection agents, but would refer some debts to small claims court.

Trade unions representing NHS workers have called for change following the BBC investigation.

BMA council deputy chair, Dr Emma Runswick, said: ‘It is beyond belief that in the 21st century the NHS cannot accurately pay doctors for the work they do, and even worse, when mistakes are made, there is seemingly no simple or efficient way of putting it right.

‘We urge NHS bodies to urgently find the resources and effort to stop this happening, because this astonishing incompetence is resulting in NHS staff being left with thousands of pounds of debt – with some are even facing legal action and bailiffs knocking on their doors and many having to do additional work to pay off their debt.'

Sharon Wilde, GMB's national officer for health, told the BBC: ‘Mistakes happen. When they do, trusts need to work sympathetically with staff to develop a payment plan, not charge in like a bull in a china shop.'