The health sector is represented by Skills for Health Sector Skills Council, which comprises three sub‐sectors:
- National Health Service (NHS)
- Independent Healthcare Sector (such as private and charitable healthcare providers)
- Third Sector (healthcare) (such as small local community and voluntary groups, registered charities, foundations, trusts, social enterprises and co‐operatives)
The health sector is made up of hospitals, doctors’ surgeries, dental practices, the ambulance service, nursing homes, residential care homes, complementary medicine and a huge range of other health related activities, from sight tests in opticians to research in medical laboratories. Most people in the health sector work in the publicly funded National Health Service (NHS), which includes:
- primary care (organisations which the public goes to first) – Doctors/General Practitioners (GPs), NHS Walk in Centres, NHS Direct, Out of Hours Emergency Care
- secondary care (organisations which the public are referred onto) – Ambulance Trusts, NHS Trusts/hospitals, NHS Foundation Trusts/hospitals, Mental Health Trusts, Care Trusts (provide joint health and social care activities)
NHS policy in England is directed from the centre by the Department of Health. Local organisations, known as Primary Care Trusts (PCTs), are in charge of providing and commissioning services, controlling the majority of the budget. PCTs are overseen by 10 regional organisations called Strategic Health Authorities (SHAs).
The independent sector includes companies and charities that offer hospital and specialist services usually after referral from a doctor. Operations and other work are carried out in private hospitals, independent treatment centres, mental health units and hospices.
Key facts:
- The health sector is the largest employer in the UK, representing 5.5% of the working age population of the UK and 7.3% of the working age population that are currently in employment.
- It is estimated that the sector employs over 2 million people, including:
- over 1.5 million people in the NHS (72%)
- over 0.5 million people in the Independent Healthcare sector (26%)
- almost 40,000 in the voluntary sector (2%)
- 56% of the workforce has a higher education qualification (or equivalent).
- The age profile for the sector shows an older than average workforce, which is due in part to the fact that it takes some professions a long time to train and can mean that people enter the sector later.
There is a varied list of jobs in the sector ranging from a diverse number of clinical roles, to support and infrastructure staff, for instance: Allied Health Professionals (AHPs); Ambulance Staff; Dental Staff; Doctors/Medical staff; Nursing staff; Midwifery Staff; Healthcare Scientists; Health Informatics Staff; Management; Wider Healthcare Team; Complementary Therapists.
National and regional data
East Midlands – There are 44,300 people employed in the active leisure, learning and well‐being sector, of which 3,900 are employed in the health and fitness industry. The region hosts a broad range of activities, including coastal and countryside destinations (e.g. the Peak District, Sherwood Forrest and the National Forest). There are many places to walk and cycle, and the growing network of rights of way, footpaths, multi‐use trails and long‐distance paths forms an important recreational resource. Industry skills gaps in the region include: sport specific technical skills; first aid; and child protection.
East of England – There are 61,400 people employed in the active leisure, learning and well‐being sector, of which 6,100 are employed in the health and fitness industry.
London – There are 70,200 people employed in the active leisure, learning and well‐being sector, of which 5,900 are employed in the health and fitness industry. London has a rich mix of active leisure and learning facilities, high profile sporting clubs and venues and hosts a wide range of international, national, regional and local events. Industry skills gaps in the region include: sport specific technical skills; communication; management; initiative; first aid; child protection; project management; and working with people with disabilities.
North East – There are 24,500 people employed in the active leisure, learning and well‐being sector, of which 1,900 are employed in the health and fitness industry. The region has 20 facilities listed in the London 2012 Pre‐Games Training Camps Guide and 4 universities providing sports provision recognised in the 2012 Training Camps Guide. The region hosts to the Great North Run, which has the largest participation in the world. Industry skills gaps in the region include: sport specific technical skills; communication; first aid; team‐working; health and safety; working with disabled people; child protection; and initiative.
North West – There are 65,700 people employed in the active leisure, learning and well‐being sector, of which 5,400 are employed in the health and fitness industry. The region is home to the Lake District, Forest of Bowland and the coast, so facilities include a purpose built mountain bike trail and outdoor activity centres. Industry skills gaps in the region include: sport specific technical skills; communication; initiative; team‐working; planning and preparing work; child protection; and first aid.
South East – There are 96,700 people employed in the active leisure, learning and well‐being sector, of which 8,700 are employed in the health and fitness industry. Two of the nine UK Sports Institutes are based in the region at Bisham Abbey and Bisley. Industry skills gaps in the region include: sport specific technical skills; first aid; child protection; communication; management; and planning and preparing work.
South West – There are 53,700 people employed in the active leisure, learning and well‐being sector, of which 4,100 are employed in the health and fitness industry. The region offers a range of opportunities for surfing, sailing, surf lifesaving, Tarka Trail, Camel Trail and coastal paths. Industry skills gaps in the region include: sport specific technical skills; communication; management; team‐working; planning and preparing work; initiative; project management; and problem solving.
West Midlands – There are 48,200 people employed in the active leisure, learning and well‐being sector, of which 3,700 are employed in the health and fitness industry. Industry skills gaps in the region include: sport specific technical skills; communication; management; team‐working; initiative; and planning and preparing work.
Yorkshire and the Humber – There are 51,900 people employed in the active leisure, learning and well‐being sector, of which 3,500 are employed in the health and fitness industry. The region has a strong sporting infrastructure and is home to a cluster of sports science, technology, medicine and economics research and development units. The region hosts three National Parks and a range of outdoors activities including rock climbing, airborne activities, water sports and cycling. Industry skills gaps in the region include: sport specific technical skills; communication; child protection; initiative; and management.
Northern Ireland – There are 10,738 people employed in the active leisure, learning and well‐being sector, of which 1,000 are employed in the health and fitness industry.
Scotland – There are 58,200 people employed in the active leisure, learning and well‐being sector, of which 5,100 are employed in the health and fitness industry.
Wales – There are 29,500 people employed in the active leisure, learning and well‐being sector, of which 2,100 are employed in the health and fitness industry.
[N.B. Data derived from Annual Business Inquiry (GB), 2007, Northern Ireland, 2005 and Labour Force Survey (Annual average), 2008.]
