Personal Assistant (NHS): Pay, Salary, Progression & How to Become
An NHS Personal Assistant is an NHS trust or Integrated Care Board administrative professional providing dedicated executive support to senior managers such as Executive Directors, Deputy Directors, and Divisional Directors, typically on Agenda for Change Band 4 to Band 6. The role delivers diary management, correspondence drafting, Board and Committee paper coordination, travel management, and confidential executive support at the strategic level, and works at a managerial level that separates it from the clinical documentation scope of a Medical Secretary. The five NHS PA types span the PA to Chief Executive, the PA to Executive Director, the PA to Divisional Director, the PA to Consultant, and the Executive Assistant or Head of Business Support.
Earnings run across Band 4, Band 5, and Band 6, set by the 2026/27 Agenda for Change pay scale, the framework that determines each band, and the annual pay rise. Pay progression moves from Band 4 to Band 5 to Band 6 PA to Chief Executive, with unsocial hours and overtime adding to basic pay where rostered. Take-home pay follows once pension, tax, and National Insurance deductions come off the payslip, and the same salary base sets maternity pay and sick pay. Entry runs through a Level 3 Diploma and NHS administrative experience, and the role's band, confidentiality scope, high-cost-area supplement, Board attendance, and hourly rate complete the picture, starting with the definition of the role.
What Is an NHS Personal Assistant?
An NHS Personal Assistant is an administrative professional who provides dedicated support to senior NHS staff, typically on Band 4 to Band 6. The role manages the day-to-day tasks that let healthcare leaders and clinicians focus on care and strategic decisions, including scheduling meetings, handling correspondence, preparing documents, and maintaining confidential records. An NHS Personal Assistant brings strong organisation, clear communication, and a high degree of discretion to the role.
NHS Personal Assistants work in hospital departments, specialist clinics, and NHS headquarters, ranging from direct support for senior executives to broader business coordination. The role sits on the Agenda for Change pay structure from Band 4 to Band 6, depending on the level of responsibility and experience, and supports Executive Directors, Deputy Directors, and Divisional Directors within the trust management structure.
What Does an NHS Personal Assistant Do?
An NHS Personal Assistant manages an executive diary, correspondence, and Board papers for a senior manager. Core duties cover executive diary management of typically 8 to 15 meetings a day, correspondence drafting and email management, Board and Committee paper coordination, and travel management for national conferences and NHS England meetings. An NHS Personal Assistant takes confidential minutes at Executive Team meetings, acts as a gatekeeper for executive time, and manages expenses and Board Away Day events, handling sensitive information with discretion.
What Is the Difference Between an NHS Personal Assistant and a Medical Secretary?
An NHS Personal Assistant provides executive support to senior managers, while a Medical Secretary provides clinical documentation support to consultant clinicians. An NHS Personal Assistant on Band 4 to Band 6 manages diaries, coordinates Board papers, and handles confidential executive correspondence, often in non-clinical settings such as NHS headquarters. A Medical Secretary on Band 3 to Band 5 manages patient appointments, types clinical letters, and maintains medical records alongside consultants.
An NHS Personal Assistant supports administrative and managerial executives, and a Medical Secretary supports clinical practitioners, so the two hold distinct scopes with career mobility between them. Both roles require strong organisation and IT proficiency, but they differ in their day-to-day focus.
What Are the Different Types of NHS Personal Assistant?
The different types of NHS Personal Assistant are distinguished by the seniority each one supports and are listed below:
PA to Chief Executive
A PA to Chief Executive provides high-level support at the top of the trust, forming the most senior PA role. The role manages the Chief Executive's schedule, handles sensitive communications, and organises Board meetings, sitting at Band 6 to Band 7 given its strategic scope. A PA to Chief Executive acts as the key liaison between the CEO and other executives, Board members, and external stakeholders, maintaining confidentiality while supporting strategic initiatives.
PA to Executive Director
A PA to Executive Director provides high-level support to a Medical, Nursing, Finance, HR, or Operations Director overseeing a major operational area. The role manages complex diaries, coordinates Board-level meetings, and prepares confidential reports, sitting at Band 5 to Band 6. A PA to Executive Director acts as a gatekeeper, handling information on strategic decisions and workforce planning that requires absolute confidentiality, and interacts effectively from frontline staff to Board members.
PA to Divisional Director
A PA to Divisional Director supports a divisional leader overseeing key hospital departments, sitting at Band 4 to Band 5. The role manages complex schedules, prepares reports, Board papers, and presentations, and acts as a communication hub for the division. A PA to Divisional Director schedules appointments to allocate the director's time efficiently, handles correspondence, and liaises with senior clinicians, managers, and external partners, requiring strong organisation and the ability to prioritise in a dynamic environment.
PA to Consultant (Team-Based)
A PA to Consultant provides administrative support to one or more consultants within a department, sitting at Band 3 to Band 4. The role coordinates clinic schedules, manages patient correspondence, and processes referrals, needing attention to detail and medical terminology for clinic letters and reports. A PA to Consultant works closely with medical secretaries in a team-based setting, keeping clinic operations running across the consultant team.
Executive Assistant / Head of Business Support
An Executive Assistant or Head of Business Support combines high-level PA duties with strategic business support and team management, sitting at Band 6 to Band 7. The role provides senior support to directorates and executive teams, coordinating high-level governance processes, managing complex projects, and supporting Board-level administration. An Executive Assistant may lead a business support team, setting standards and supervising administrative staff, representing the senior end of the NHS PA career pathway.
How Much Does an NHS Personal Assistant Earn?
An NHS Personal Assistant earns between £28,392 and £48,117 in 2026/27 on the Agenda for Change pay scale. Band 4 entry roles pay £28,392 to £31,157, Band 5 standard roles pay £32,073 to £39,043, and Band 6 senior roles such as PA to Chief Executive pay £39,959 to £48,117. High-cost-area supplements add 5% to 20% for staff in and around London, and overtime and rostered unsocial hours add to basic pay.
How Much Does an NHS Personal Assistant Earn Per Hour?
An NHS Personal Assistant earns between roughly £14.56 and £24.68 per hour in 2026/27 on NHS rates, depending on band, before enhancements. A Band 4 PA on £28,392 to £31,157 earns about £14.56 to £15.98 per hour, a Band 5 PA on £32,073 to £39,043 earns about £16.45 to £20.02 per hour, and a Band 6 PA to Chief Executive on £39,959 to £48,117 earns about £20.49 to £24.68 per hour. The rate divides the annual salary by a 37.5-hour week over 52 weeks, and high-cost-area supplements and rostered unsocial hours raise the effective total.
NHS Personal Assistant Band 4 Salary
An NHS Personal Assistant on Band 4 earns £28,392 to £31,157 in 2026/27, the entry to mid-level PA band, at about £14.56 to £15.98 per hour. Band 4 requires IT proficiency, strong literacy and numeracy, and the ability to work independently and collaboratively. The salary reflects the executive support that lets healthcare leaders focus on care, and incremental pay points allow annual progression by service and satisfactory performance.
NHS Personal Assistant Band 5 Salary
An NHS Personal Assistant on Band 5 earns £32,073 to £39,043 in 2026/27, the standard PA band, at about £16.45 to £20.02 per hour. Band 5 covers support to senior executives and greater autonomy, with officers advancing one increment a year until the top of the band. The exact figure within the range depends on experience, location, and job responsibilities, and high-cost-area supplements add to London-area posts.
PA to Chief Executive Band 6 Salary
A PA to Chief Executive on Band 6 earns £39,959 to £48,117 in 2026/27, the senior PA band. Band 6 reflects Board coordination scope, discretion, and sound judgment, requiring extensive experience and advanced skills. High-cost-area supplements raise the total in London and surrounding areas, and the higher pay reflects the strategic scope over Band 5.
What Is the NHS Personal Assistant Pay Scale for 2026/27?
The NHS Employers pay scales for 2026/27 set the Personal Assistant range under the Agenda for Change framework across Bands 4 to 6: Band 4 at £28,392 to £31,157, Band 5 at £32,073 to £39,043, and Band 6 at £39,959 to £48,117. Each band holds multiple pay points for incremental progression by service length, and the rates apply consistently across NHS trusts. The figures represent basic pay before enhancements for rostered unsocial hours or high-cost-area supplements, and the 2026/27 rates apply from 1 April 2026.
How Is NHS Personal Assistant Pay Determined by Agenda for Change?
NHS Personal Assistant pay is determined by the Agenda for Change framework, the standard pay system for non-medical NHS staff. The NHS Job Evaluation Scheme scores each role on knowledge, skills, responsibility, and decision-making, then matches it to a band — Band 4 for entry with a Level 3 Diploma in Business Administration plus 2 to 3 years of admin experience, Band 5 for sustained PA scope plus a Foundation Degree or ILM Level 3 Diploma, and Band 6 for PA to CEO or Executive Director scope plus a BSc or extensive executive-level experience. Board-level PAs may hold Institute of Administrative Management qualifications, and officers receive annual increments within a band.
How Much Did NHS PA Pay Rise in 2026?
NHS Personal Assistant pay rose by 3.3% for 2026/27 under the Agenda for Change settlement, a consolidated uplift applied uniformly across every pay band from 1 April 2026, according to the 2026 pay award announcement from NHS Employers. Band 4 rose from £27,485 to £30,162 in 2025/26 to £28,392 to £31,157 in 2026/27, and Band 5 rose from £31,049 to £37,796 to £32,073 to £39,043 over the same period. The consolidated uplift became part of permanent basic salary, keeping NHS administrative pay in step across the bands.
How Does NHS PA Pay Progression Work?
NHS Personal Assistant pay progression runs through the Agenda for Change pay system. A PA advances through incremental pay points within a band, moving up annually against satisfactory performance and tenure, and most PAs start at Band 4 and progress to the top of the band over several years. Advancement to a higher band, such as Band 4 to Band 5, requires taking on greater responsibility or applying for a more senior post through a competitive process or job evaluation. PAs strengthen progression by acquiring qualifications, expanding duties, and developing expertise in project management or Board-level support, which opens Executive Assistant and Head of Business Support roles.
How Do PAs Move From Band 4 to Band 5?
NHS Personal Assistants move from Band 4 to Band 5 by demonstrating advanced competencies such as project coordination, business support, and strategic scheduling, and by applying for advertised Band 5 posts. The transition involves managing multiple priorities for senior staff, contributing to higher-level business operations, and handling confidential information with greater autonomy. A Foundation Degree in Business Administration or an ILM Level 3 Diploma, alongside a strong Band 4 track record, strengthens the application.
How Do PAs Progress to CEO PA Roles?
NHS Personal Assistants progress to PA to Chief Executive roles at Band 6 to Band 7 through several years of experience supporting Divisional and Executive Directors, and a strong reputation for reliability. The route develops high-level diary management, Board-level communication, and strategic planning support, and candidates evidence exceptional organisation and the capacity to work autonomously under pressure. Institute of Administrative Management qualifications, mentorship from senior PAs, and executive-level shadowing strengthen progression to these roles.
How Much Do NHS PAs Earn for Unsocial Hours?
Most NHS Personal Assistants work standard weekday hours, often 8am to 6pm to match executive diary demands, so unsocial hours enhancements apply mainly to occasional Board Away Day weekend cover and evening event support. Where rostered on unsocial hours, a Band 4 to Band 6 PA earns a 30% enhancement for weekday nights and Saturdays and 60% for Sundays and public holidays, as set out in Section 2 of the NHS terms and conditions of service handbook. The enhancement counts as pensionable pay and applies to all rostered hours in those periods. Some senior Band 6 and Band 7 PA roles account for occasional out-of-hours work within the salary rather than paying separate enhancements.
How Much Overtime Does an NHS Personal Assistant Earn?
An NHS Personal Assistant earns overtime at time-and-a-half for hours worked beyond the standard 37.5-hour week, and double time on general public holidays only. A Band 4 PA on a basic rate of about £14.56 to £15.98 per hour earns around £21.84 to £23.97 at time-and-a-half, calculated from the annual salary divided by a 37.5-hour week. Many NHS trusts offer time off in lieu instead of paid overtime for administrative roles, so PAs confirm overtime rates and availability against their local trust policy.
How to Calculate NHS Personal Assistant Take-Home Pay
Take-home pay for an NHS Personal Assistant starts from the gross salary and ends after statutory deductions. The calculation runs through the following steps:
Determine the gross annual salary
Set the gross salary from the Agenda for Change band — Band 4 at £28,392 to £31,157, Band 5 at £32,073 to £39,043 for 2026/27 — plus any overtime and rostered unsocial hours earnings.
Adjust for part-time hours
For a part-time post, divide the contracted hours by the standard full-time hours and multiply by the full-time salary for the pro rata gross figure.
Subtract income tax
Apply income tax against the 2026/27 bands — the first £12,570 is tax-free, and 20% applies from £12,571 to £50,270, which covers the whole PA pay range.
Deduct National Insurance
Subtract National Insurance at 8% of earnings between £12,570 and £50,270, and 2% on anything above.
Deduct pension contributions
Deduct the NHS Pension Scheme contribution, set between 5.2% and 12.5% of pensionable pay across six salary tiers — NHS PAs fall in the 6.5% to 9.8% tiers.
Account for other deductions
Subtract student loan repayments, union fees, or salary-sacrifice items to reach the net take-home figure.
Use our NHS pay calculator for an instant estimate.
What Deductions Come Off an NHS PA Payslip?
An NHS Personal Assistant payslip carries income tax, National Insurance, and NHS Pension Scheme contributions as the standard deductions. Income tax comes off through PAYE against the PA's tax code, and National Insurance takes 8% of earnings between £12,570 and £50,270. NHS Pension Scheme contributions run from 5.2% to 12.5% of pensionable pay across six salary tiers, with NHS PAs in the 6.5% to 9.8% tiers, according to NHS Employers' member contribution rates for 2026/27. Student loan repayments and salary-sacrifice schemes such as cycle-to-work or childcare vouchers complete the deductions.
How Does NHS Personal Assistant Maternity Pay Work?
NHS Personal Assistant maternity pay follows the NHS Terms and Conditions of Service. NHS occupational maternity pay applies to PAs with at least 12 months of continuous NHS service by the 11th week before the expected week of childbirth, giving 8 weeks at full pay, then 18 weeks at half pay plus Statutory Maternity Pay, then 13 weeks of Statutory Maternity Pay alone. PAs with at least 26 weeks of continuous service by the qualifying week receive Statutory Maternity Pay where they meet the earnings threshold. The total maternity leave entitlement is 52 weeks, and the maternity figure builds on the PA's Band 4–6 salary.
How Does NHS Personal Assistant Sick Pay Work?
NHS Personal Assistant sick pay follows the Agenda for Change terms and rises with length of NHS service. Entitlement runs from 1 month full pay and 2 months half pay in the first year, to 2 months full pay and 2 months half pay after one year, 4 months full and 4 months half after two years, 5 months full and 5 months half after three years, and 6 months full pay and 6 months half pay after five years. Sick pay requires adherence to the trust's absence reporting, and a GP fit note for absences beyond seven days.
How to Become an NHS Personal Assistant
Becoming an NHS Personal Assistant runs through qualifications, NHS administrative experience, and skills development. The pathway follows these steps:
Obtain foundational qualifications and skills
Hold GCSEs in English and Maths, and add a secretarial or business administration qualification with typing and word processing certification, which employers value.
Gain NHS administrative experience
Start in an entry-level NHS role such as receptionist, clerk, or administrative assistant to learn NHS systems, terminology, and working culture.
Develop technical and interpersonal skills
Build advanced Microsoft Office proficiency — Outlook diary management, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams — alongside accuracy, attention to detail, and effectiveness against deadlines.
Apply for NHS Personal Assistant positions
Search PA vacancies on the NHS Jobs website, targeting roles at Band 3 or Band 4 that match the experience level.
Pursue professional development
Take on-the-job training and consider qualifications through AMSPAR or the Institute of Administrative Management for networking and advancement.
What Qualifications Do You Need to Be an NHS Personal Assistant?
An NHS Personal Assistant needs GCSEs in English and Maths or equivalent, with a Level 3 Diploma in Business Administration and advanced Microsoft Office proficiency valued by employers. An ILM Level 3 Diploma in Leadership and Management supports Band 5, and a Foundation Degree in Business Administration supports Band 5 to Band 6 progression. Institute of Administrative Management qualifications support Board-level PA roles, and NHS administrative experience is typically required alongside strong literacy and numeracy.
How Long Does It Take to Become an NHS Personal Assistant?
Becoming an NHS Personal Assistant takes a few weeks to a few months for a candidate with relevant NHS administrative experience, since the timeline depends mainly on securing an entry-level post. A candidate without NHS experience takes longer, building skills through secretarial or business qualifications and practical experience. Progression from a Band 3 admin role to a Band 5 Executive Director PA role typically runs four to six years, and further progression depends on accumulated experience and training.
What Band Is an NHS Personal Assistant?
An NHS Personal Assistant sits at Agenda for Change Band 4 for most roles, reflecting administrative and secretarial support to senior staff. Roles supporting Executive Directors or the Chief Executive rise to Band 5 or Band 6, with the band depending on the complexity of duties and the seniority of the person supported. Band 4 covers standard PA tasks, while Bands 5 and 6 carry Board coordination and more complex confidential responsibilities.
Are NHS PAs Confidential Support?
Yes, confidentiality is a defining NHS Personal Assistant scope. NHS PAs handle highly confidential executive information including Board papers marked Confidential or Sensitive, HR and disciplinary matters, commercial-in-confidence procurement discussions, and Executive Team strategic planning. The level of confidentiality rises with the seniority of the executive supported, and a breach is misconduct under NHS trust HR policy, with formal confidentiality agreements extending beyond the standard NHS confidentiality code for CEO and Executive Director PAs.
Do NHS PAs Get London Weighting?
NHS Personal Assistants receive a high-cost-area supplement rather than London weighting, and only where the post sits in a designated high-cost area. The supplement pays 20% of basic salary in Inner London, 15% in Outer London, and 5% in the Fringe, each within set minimum and maximum limits. Posts outside those areas carry no high-cost-area supplement.
Do NHS PAs Attend Board Meetings?
Yes, NHS Personal Assistants to Executive Directors and the Chief Executive regularly attend Board meetings, Committee meetings such as Quality, Finance, and Audit, and Executive Team meetings. A PA takes minutes, coordinates paper flow, and provides gatekeeper support at these meetings without participating as a Board member, with formal minute-taking training through ILM or the NHS Providers Academy. Official Board minutes are formal statutory records under the NHS Foundation Trust Constitution and Care Quality Commission evidence requirements.