NHS and care worker staff freebies & discounts
Food, shopping, days out and more
Many companies offer special discounts for NHS staff and healthcare workers (and some that emergency services personnel can get too). This guide lists the top deals available and how to get them.
Are you a teacher, or know one? See our Discounts for teachers guide.
£5 Blue Light Card gives access to 1,000s of deals
One of the main ways NHS and care workers can get discounts is to sign up for a Blue Light Card, which costs £4.99 for two years' access. You'll need your work ID or a recent payslip to prove you're eligible for the service (it can take up to seven days to be registered).
As well as NHS and care workers, it's also available to other emergency services such as the Fire Service, RNLI, Mountain Rescue, Red Cross and more – see below for the full list.
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4x4 Response
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Ambulance Service
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Blood Bikes
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Border Force
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British Army
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Cave Rescue
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Community First Responders
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Fire Service
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Highways England Traffic Officer
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HM Armed Forces Veterans
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HM Coastguard
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HM Prison Service
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Immigration Enforcement
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Lowland Search and Rescue
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MoD Fire Service
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MoD Police
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Mountain Rescue
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NHS
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Police
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Red Cross
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Reserve Armed Forces
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RNLI
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Royal Air Force
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Royal Marines
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Royal Navy
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Search and Rescue
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Social Care Workers
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St Andrews Ambulance
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St John Ambulance
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UK Visas and Immigration
In addition to the above, Blue Light Card says it's also available to those working at a dental practice, for the RAC, and primary or secondary school teachers.
Which services are included?
You can also sign up if you're retired NHS staff with a P60 showing an NHS pension.
Blue Light Card says it offers 15,000+ high street and online discounts from large retailers and local businesses, covering fashion, days out, restaurants, holidays and more. You aren't able to see specific deals until after signing up, though we've included some in our list of deals below.
If you use Google Chrome as your internet browser you can also add the free Blue Light Card Chrome extension which, when installed, will automatically check if the website you're on has a Blue Light Card discount available.
If you think you'll save more than a fiver in two years then a Blue Light Card can be worth it. See Blue Light Card FAQs for full information.
Up to 12% cashback at 70+ retailers for NHS & care workers with the Ode prepaid card
NHS and care workers (plus those working in charity and education) can apply for the , which gets up to 12% cashback at over 80 retailers. When we checked, this included Asda 2.5%, M&S and Waitrose 3%, Ikea 4%, Primark 7%, Boots and John Lewis 5%, and Virgin Experience Days 12% – see more brands and cashback.
You'll get the cashback on top of other offers, so it's good for maxing savings. There's a minimum top up of £5 (with prepaid cards, there's no credit check and you can only spend the amount you add to it). Any earned cashback is automatically added to your balance within seven days in most cases and is available to spend when you next top up.
The card is free for the first year, then a £2.99 annual fee kicks in – so remember to cancel then if you find you're not earning much cashback. It's also important to note that after your card's two years old, if you don't use it for 12 months there's a £5 per month inactivity fee.
Any money you deposit is ring-fenced in a separate bank account, so if there are problems with Ode, the money's safe as the bank or building society where your money's held will still retain your cash for you to get back.
The slight risk comes if the bank or building society goes bust, because your cash is NOT protected in this case.
It's best to think of your prepaid card as one that you'll keep cash on for immediate or short-term spending requirements, rather than as a place to store a load of cash for long periods of time.
How your money is protected on prepaid cards
Before applying, see our full Prepaid cards guide for more need-to-knows.
Top NHS and care worker staff freebies & discounts
This is our list of top deals currently offered to NHS and care worker staff (and some for emergency services too). We've made it clear who's eligible for what, and whether you can get the deal just by showing work ID, or if a Blue Light Card or other sign up is required.
NHS staff discounts tend to beat those offered to all, but sometimes retailers have short-lived promotions available to everyone that will save you more money, so before using an NHS discount, it's worth comparing other offers to make sure you're getting the best deal.
Used an NHS freebie or discount not featured here? Please email to let us know.
Food & drink discounts
Via Health Service Discounts or Discounts For Teachers. Works at Pizza Express, Burger King etc
If you currently or have previously worked for the NHS or in teaching, and have either a Health Service Discounts or Discounts for Teachers account (you can sign up for free if not), you can redeem a free one-year Tastecard app membership (normally £79.99 for a year).
This is an ongoing offer, and you can get it as long as you don't have an active Tastecard membership currently.
Tastecard gives access to 2for1 deals or 25% off your bill at more than 3,000 restaurants across the UK, including Pizza Express, Burger King, and Caffè Nero – see the full list of restaurants.
Important: You’ll be asked to enter payment details when you sign up as you'll be automatically enrolled into a paid-for membership at the discounted price of £29.99 a year after the one-year free trial, unless you cancel.
If you decide not to stay with Tastecard, you can cancel your membership online or by contacting customer service at any time during the trial. Tastecard says you won't be charged as long as you cancel by 11.59pm the day before your free trial expires, but it's a good idea to do it before then (we've heard of some problems with cancelling in the past).
How to get it
Sign up or log into your Health Service Discounts or Discounts For Teachers account (both sites use ID verification to ensure job status).
Once logged in, select the Tastecard offer at the Health Service Discounts website or Discounts For Teachers website. You'll then be redirected to Tastecard's website to claim the deal and download the Tastecard app (available for Apple and Android) and enter your username and password. You can't get this as a physical membership with a card, this is a digital app membership only.
You can find restaurant offers listed in the app, though do check restrictions. Some restaurants won't allow you to use a Tastecard at specific times or on certain days of the week (such as Friday or Saturday), or on occasions such as Valentine's Day.
See our restaurant deals round-up for more ways to save when eating out.
Via Blue Light Card code. Dine-in for up to six people, or takeaway
At Pizza Hut restaurants (find your nearest), show a valid Blue Light Card code on any day (excluding bank holidays) and you can get 25% off food. It's valid for both dine-in for up to six people, and in-store ordered takeaway, however it's not available at Pizza Hut Delivery stores.
To get the code, you need to hold a Blue Light Card (£4.99 for two years – see more info), and generate the code from its website or via the app – you can't just show the card.
It excludes buffet, meal deals, kids' meals, takeaway deals, drinks, online takeaway orders, and kids' birthday parties. You also can't combine it with any other vouchers or deals. See full Pizza Hut FAQs.
Check our Restaurant deals page for other dining out offers.
Via Blue Light Card. Not valid on drinks
At Beefeater (find your nearest), show a valid Blue Light Card code and you can get 25% off food only from the main menu or Sunday roast menu. You can get the discount any day (excluding bank holidays and key dates mentioned below) until 26 February 2026, and only one code is needed per table.
It excludes Fixed Priced Menus, Saver Menus, Evening Value Menus, Kids' Menus, Buffet Menus, Key Date Menus (including but not limited to Valentine’s Day, Father’s Day, Mothering Sunday and Christmas Day), Breakfast and the Premier Inn Meal Deal. See full T&Cs.
See our Restaurant deals and vouchers page for other dining out deals.
Via Blue Light Card code
At most Bella Italia restaurants, customers who show a valid Blue Light Card code from Sunday to Friday will get 25% off their total bill.
To get the code, you need to hold a Blue Light Card (£4.99 for two years – see more info), and generate the code from its website or via the app – you can't just show the card.
It's only valid on the total bill for tables of up to six. It can't be used with any other offers, vouchers, or set menus. It's valid at all Bella Italia restaurants, except Center Parcs locations.
Via Health Service Discounts or Discounts for Teachers
NHS staff, teachers and school staff can get £10 off their first order of £25 or more at Uber Eats.
Get a code via Health Service Discounts (for NHS) or Discounts for Teachers and enter the code in the Uber Eats app – this is for new Uber Eats users ordering for the first time only.
With a Blue Light Card
At Pizza Express restaurants (find your nearest), show a Blue Light Card code any time Saturday to Thursday (some exclusions, see below) and you can get 20% off food when dining in. Pizza Express says your code will be valid for the whole table. It's valid on food only (not drinks), including kids' Piccolo meals.
To get the code, you need to hold a Blue Light Card (£4.99 for two years – see more info), and generate the 12-digit code from its website or via the app – you can't just show the card.
You can't use this 20% off deal alongside other discounts or set menus, except for Pizza Express' 'Goodwill' codes and 'How Did We Dough' survey vouchers. It's not valid on takeaway, delivery, and collection orders, and it can't be used on Fridays, bank holidays, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Easter Monday, Father's Day, or on selected dates throughout December.
With a Blue Light Card
At Harvester restaurants (find your nearest), show a Blue Light Card code Monday to Friday (some exclusions, see below) and you can get 20% off food only.
To get the code, you need to hold a Blue Light Card (£4.99 for two years – see more info), and generate the code from its website or via the app – you can't just show the card.
You can't use this 20% off deal alongside any other discounts or promotions including set menus and festive menus. It also isn't valid on bank holidays and other 'special days' including Mother's Day, Easter and Father's Day.
With a Blue Light Card
At Toby Carvery restaurants (find your nearest), show a Blue Light Card code any time Monday to Friday (some exclusions, see below) and you can get 20% off food for tables up to six people.
To get the code, you need to hold a Blue Light Card (£4.99 for two years – see more info), and generate the code from its website or via the app – you can't just show the card.
You can't use this 20% off deal alongside other discounts or promotions, or with drinks, takeaway, kids' meals, set menus, buffets or delivery. It also isn't valid on bank holidays.
Maximum £4 discount on orders up to £20 when dining in or walk-in collections only
If you work for the NHS, police, fire or ambulance service you can get 20% off food and drink orders up to £20 at Nando's (find your nearest).
If you're dining in, you'll just need to show a valid photocard ID when you order and you can use the discount once per day. If you're with a group and want to give others the discount too, you'll need to put everyone's meals on the same order, but remember the 20% off only works up to £20 – any orders over £20 won't get the maximum £4 discount.
If you don't fancy dining in, you can get the 20% off if you order for collection, too – Peri nice! NHS staff can do this online when you register at Nando's and then apply the discount when you order. You'll need to verify your NHS email address every six months. Those working for the emergency services can only get the offer on walk-in collections, and can't currently order online for collection
Check out our cheapy Nando's tips & hacks before you go.
With valid ID card and the purchase of a main meal per adult
NHS and emergency services staff can get 20% off their food bill at Frankie & Benny's (find your nearest) when dining in. Simply purchase one main meal per adult dining from the main, vegan, or gluten-free menus, and show a valid ID card (including SPRA and PCF card).
One ID card can be used for up to a group of four people, and the offer's available every day of the week. There are some excluded dates, locations and menu items – see 'More info' below.
Browse our Restaurant deals and vouchers for more ways to save on a meal out.
More info
The offer excludes any other promotion or set menu including the Lunch, Evening, Kids and seasonal set menus. You can't use it on bank holidays, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Christmas Eve, Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve.
The offer isn't valid at Frankie & Benny’s restaurants in airport locations, or on event days at the following restaurants: Wembley Designer Outlet, Cardiff St David’s, Greenwich O2, Burleigh House, Sheffield Meadowhall, Oxford, Manchester Printworks and Sheffield.
With a Blue Light Card
At Bill's restaurants (find your nearest), show a Blue Light Card code any day of the week and you can get 20% off your total bill for tables up to eight people. See full T&Cs.
To get the code, you need to hold a Blue Light Card (£4.99 for two years – see more info), and generate the code from its website or via the app – you can't just show the card.
You can't use this 20% off deal alongside other discounts or promotions such as set menus.
Show Blue Light Card code. Not valid on drinks
At most Yo! Sushi restaurants, show a valid Blue Light Card code from Sunday to Friday to get 20% off food, valid on dine-in or click & collect, when spending a minimum of £15. If dining in, you can also get free gyozas.
To get the code, you need to hold a Blue Light Card (£4.99 for two years – see more info), and generate the code from its website or via the app – you can't just show the card.
It excludes drinks, delivery orders, and it can't be used with any other offers. It's valid at all Yo! Sushi restaurants except Heathrow Terminal 2 & Terminal 3, London Luton Airport, Manchester Piccadilly Station, Rushden Lakes, York Outlet or any YO! kiosks in Tesco.
Via Blue Light Card code
At Ask Italian restaurants (find your nearest), show a valid Blue Light Card code on Sunday to Thursday and you can get 20% off food.
To get the code, you need to hold a Blue Light Card (£4.99 for two years – see more info), and generate the code from its website or via the app – you can't just show the card.
The offer isn't valid on Fridays, Saturdays, bank holidays, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day and from 1 December to 1 January. It also can't be used at London Park Street, London Westfield, Scarborough, and Wells, or at The O2 and Cardiff on match/event days. See FAQs.
Via Health Service Discounts or Discounts for Teachers
NHS staff, teachers, and school staff can get 20% off food at Caribbean restaurant Turtle Bay, any day of the week.
Get a code from Health Service Discounts (for NHS) or Discounts for Teachers, then download and sign up to the Turtle Bay app to enter your code and generate a Member ID. You'll need to give your server your Member ID every time you visit, before you pay.
The discount is valid for dine-in and call & collect, but not click & collect or delivery.
Show work ID at the till, or get a special code for the kiosk
NHS and emergency services staff can get 15% off at Leon (find your nearest) when showing their work ID at the till. If you'd like to order via a kiosk, ask staff for the special code.
You can't use it with any other discount, kids' meals, or meal deals. See full T&Cs.
With a Blue Light Card
Show a valid Blue Light Card at Starbucks (find your nearest) and you can get 10% off your total bill.
The offer's valid every day of the week and covers your whole group. It can't be used to purchase Starbucks gift cards. A Blue Light Card costs £4.99 for two years – see more info.
Via Blue Light Card
If you've a Blue Light Card (£4.99 for two years – see more info), you can get a code for 10% off your total bill at Louisiana-style fried chicken restaurant Popeyes. The code is valid when placing a mobile order only.
Via Blue Light Card
If you've a Blue Light Card (£4.99 for two years – see more info), you can get 10% off your total bill in-store at Krispy Kreme. Show your Blue Light Card in a Krispy Kreme store, or generate a code to use online from the Blue Light Card website or app.
The discount isn't available on items from a Krispy Kreme cabinet in third-party stores such as Tesco and service stations. It's also not valid with other offers (such as Community Heroes, Wondoughful Wednesdays, Buy One Get One Free offers, or other offers), gift card purchases, or delivery orders via Deliveroo, Just Eat, or Uber Eats.
With valid work ID or a Blue Light Card
Canadian fast-food favourite Tim Hortons (find your nearest) is offering 10% off the total bill for NHS staff and emergency services workers any day of the week.
To get the discount, show your valid work ID card before paying. Alternatively, Tim Hortons says you can show a Blue Light Card (£4.99 for two years – see more info).
You can't use this 10% off deal alongside other discounts.
With a Blue Light Card. Valid at Starbucks and KFC
Welcome Break service stations (find your nearest) are offering those with a Blue Light Card 10% off Starbucks (including 'Drive-Thru') and KFC. The previous 20% discount valid at other retailers does not seem to be active, but it's worth checking the Blue Light Card website to see if it comes back.
Simply present your discount card before you pay. See full T&Cs. It's worth noting that both Starbucks and KFC offer 10% off (or thereabouts) at non-Welcome Break locations, so you don't have to go out of your way to visit Welcome Break to get this discount.
If you have a Blue Light Card (see our full Blue Light Card info), don't just assume it'll give you the best discounts – always compare offers to check you're getting the best deal.
More info
The discount is not available on purchases made at Waitrose, WHSmith, Greggs and any Welcome Break Hotel.
Link a Blue Light Card to the KFC app
If you've a Blue Light Card (£4.99 for two years – see more info), you can get 9% off at KFC when you link the card with the KFC app and generate a code – you can't just show your Blue Light Card at the restaurant.
Open the KFC app, tap 'More' followed by 'Discounts' – you'll need to sign in or create an account. Once signed in, tap 'Apply Blue Light Card discount' and enter your Blue Light Card number and surname. You'll then find a QR code in the 'Rewards' section of the KFC app which you can scan at the restaurant counter.
Supermarket discounts
Via code from Health Service Discounts or Discounts for Teachers
NHS staff signed up to the free Health Service Discounts scheme, or teachers and school staff signed up to the free Discounts for Teachers scheme can get a code for 10% off an £80 or more online shop at Morrisons – it'll work for both new and existing customers.
The maximum discount you can receive is £15, so you'll only get 10% off orders up to £150.
The code can't be redeemed against: Pharmaceuticals, Tobacco, Fireworks, Postage, Alcohol, Stamps, Infant Milk/Formula, Gift Coupons, Gift Cards, Lottery Online Game and Instant Tickets, ‘Top-up’ Mobile Phone Cards, E Top-up, Digital Christmas Saver Stamps, delivery charges and carrier bag charges. You can only get the discount once per household.
On selected fresh products only. Link a Blue Light Card to Asda Rewards app
If you have a Blue Light Card (£4.99 for two years – see full info), you can link it with the free Asda Rewards app to get 5% back each time on selected 'fresh' purchases in-store (see 'More info' for exclusions) when scanning the app at the checkout. The amount will go into your Asda Rewards 'cashpot' which you can use to get a discount on a future shop in-store or online, so it's not an on-the-spot discount.
Asda says it considers fresh products (and therefore included in the offer) to be fresh meat, cooked meat, fresh fish, fruit and vegetables, fresh fruit juice and smoothies, dairy, and bakery. For exclusions see the Asda Blue Light Card T&Cs.
How it works
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Download/sign in to the Asda Rewards app, select 'More' then 'Memberships'. You can then link your Blue Light Card – once you've filled in the info, Asda says verification will take seconds.
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Shop as normal in-store (find your nearest, not valid online) and then scan your Asda Rewards app at the checkout – you'll receive 5% of the amount of your eligible shopping into your cashpot in the app – up to a maximum of £100 a day.
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To claim money in your cashpot against the cost of a future shop you'll need to exchange it for an in-app voucher within six months (vouchers are then valid for three months).
More info
You can't use the discount online, on George/George.com, Frozen, Non-Fresh Food items, health and beauty, baby, household including pet and laundry, George Home, Homeware and outdoor, entertainment and toys, Asda Tyres, Fuel, all alcohol, Tobacco, Lottery products, Gift Vouchers & Cards, Infant/Formula Milk, Cash-back, Fireworks, Online Games & Instant Tickets, Photo Printing, Saver Stamps, Postage Stamps, ‘Top-Up’ Mobile Phone Cards, any other online Financial Services and Insurances, Pharmacy, café & separate concessions and all items within the Just Essentials by Asda and Smart Price ranges.
Clothing & shoes discounts
Get code via Health Service Discounts
If you work for the NHS, sign up for free or log in via this Health Service Discounts link to get a code for 15% off full-price adult shoes and accessories online only at Clarks.
Health Service Discounts says to ensure your code works, you should complete your purchase within the same session and not open multiple tabs or visit another site until you've completed your order. Delivery is £4.95 for orders under £50 or you can collect from a Clarks store for free.
More info
Health Service Discounts is a free-to-join benefits scheme for NHS staff and the wider health service sector, with deals for over 1,300 brands. See the Health Service Discounts website for more information and/or to join.
With a Blue Light Card
Footwear retailer Schuh* is offering 10% off for NHS and emergency services workers with a Blue Light Card.
It's valid on full-price items only, either online or in stores. Online, you'll need to generate a code to use at the checkout; in stores you can show your Blue Light Card when you pay. See full T&Cs*.
If you have a Blue Light Card (see our full Blue Light Card info), don't just assume it'll give you the best discounts – always compare offers to check you're getting the best deal.
Via Health Service Discounts, Discounts for Teachers, or with a Blue Light Card
NHS, emergency services, teachers and school staff shopping online at JD Sports can get 10% off most full-price items via the following ways:
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Get a code via the free Health Service Discounts scheme.
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Or, get a code via the free Discounts for Teachers scheme.
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Or, get a code from Blue Light Card (£4.99 for two years – see more info).
You can't use the discount on gift cards, plus some excluded items. See full T&Cs.
Motoring & transport discounts
Via Health Service Discounts or Discounts for Teachers
NHS staff can sign up for free to Health Service Discounts, or teachers can sign up for free to Discounts for Teachers, to get 25% off Northern single advance tickets. The rail operator covers the North of England including Manchester, Blackpool, Leeds, Liverpool, York, and Windermere.
You'll need to get a code from one of the above sites and once you've applied the code at the Northern website or app, discounted advance tickets will be highlighted in yellow. If you need to alter the time of the train you're searching for, you may need to re-enter your code.
Tickets are for selected single advance purchase journeys only, but return journeys can be made by purchasing two single advance tickets.
Get code via Health Service Discounts
If you work for the NHS, sign up for free to Health Service Discounts and you can get a code for 20% off TransPennine Express advance fares (including first-class). The rail operator has services covering the north of England and Scotland including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, York and Newcastle.
To get the deal, sign up/log in at this Health Service Discounts link – you'll then be able to access the TransPennine offer link and code. A maximum of eight discounted tickets can be bought using one code. An advance ticket is for a single journey, so if you want a return you'll need to buy two advance singles.
For more ways to save on train travel, see our Cheap train tickets guide.
More info
Health Service Discounts is a free-to-join benefits scheme for NHS staff and the wider health service sector, with deals for over 1,300 brands. See the Health Service Discounts website for more information and/or to join.
Register with your NHS email or other proof
JustPark is a service where you can find and reserve parking spaces at 45,000+ locations – including private driveways, spare offices spaces, commercial car parks etc – and NHS workers can get 10% off.
To get the discount, sign up at JustPark with your NHS email address, then search for a parking space near where you need to be. The discount will be applied automatically.
If you don't have an NHS email address, email help@justpark.com with proof that you're a critical care worker.
There is currently no end date for this offer.
In Scotland only
If you're an NHS worker living and working in Scotland, you can get 10% off Stagecoach bus tickets.
Tickets can be used for travel throughout Scotland so you'll be able to use it to get to work, but also for travel when you're not working. It's valid on 7 Day MegaRider, 28 Day MegaRider, Annual MegaRider, Flexi 5 and Flexi 10 bus tickets.
You'll need to register your details via this link first, and then download the Stagecoach app and sign up to get the 10% off.
Show your NHS ID at any branch
NHS staff can get 5% off on service and MOT bookings at Mr Clutch Autocentres (40+ branches in England and Wales – find your nearest). To claim the discount, show your NHS ID in any branch.
The offer can be combined with discounted online prices, but can't be used with any other offer.
Bear in mind Mr Clutch may not be the cheapest place to get your MOT, even with the discount. Check our Cheap MOTs guide for ways to cut costs.
Health & wellbeing discounts
Sign up online. Must have access to NHS email address
Mindfulness and meditation app Headspace is offering free Headspace Plus subscriptions to NHS staff who sign up using their NHS email account (see 'More info' below for which accounts are included) until 31 March 2025.
Headspace Plus membership gets hundreds of guided meditations, soothing sleepcasts, sounds and music to help you relax your mind before bed, tension-releasing workouts, uplifting videos, and more.
If you signed up previously for a free three months, Headspace says you should be able to sign up again.
More info
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You'll be asked to choose from three types of role, all of which are eligible for this offer: 'Clinical professionals' (eg, Doctors, Nurses, etc.), 'Non-clinical professionals' (eg, administrative functions), or 'Wellbeing lead' (eg, the person responsible for staff wellbeing).
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You'll need to register using your NHS email account to get the offer.
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Accepted email addresses include: nhs.net, nhs.uk, nhsemployers.org, hscni.net, scot.nhs.uk, doctors.org.uk, and uk.issworld.com.
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For more help and information, see the Headspace help pages.
Sign up via special link with NHS email then download app
Mental health programme Unmind is giving free access to NHS staff who sign up online with their NHS email account.
Unmind says it provides clinically-backed tools, resources and support for proactively nurturing your mental health.
Access Unmind via the special NHS link, sign up with your NHS work email, answer a few questions to get set up, then download the app to your phone.
Use online code and show ID at first visit
NHS staff and emergency service workers looking to join a Nuffield Health fitness and wellbeing centre can get 25% off a full individual monthly rolling or 12-month membership – prices vary by location (find your nearest). See 'More info' below for full eligibility criteria. See full Nuffield Health T&Cs.
To sign up online, if you work for the NHS use the code BLCNHS25 in the corporate discount code section at the checkout. For fire service, use the code BLCFIRE25, for the police service, use the code BLCPOLICE25, and for other eligible professions, use the code BLCOTHER25. You'll need to show your work ID on your first visit.
More info
This offer is available to:
NHS: Any person employed full or part-time by the National Health Service.
Police: Any person employed full or part-time as a police officer or special constable or special police constable (SC or SPC), a member of NARPO (retired police officers) or employed by a police station in an admin role.
Fire: Any person employed full or part-time as a Fire Officer or Volunteer Fire Officer or member of NARF (retired fire officer) or employed by a fire station in an admin role.
Blue Light Card holders: Anyone holding a valid Blue Light Card can join in their local centre or by logging in to their Blue Light Card account and searching for Nuffield Health.
With a Blue Light Card. Also gets no joining fee
If you've a Blue Light Card, Pure Gym (find your nearest) is offering 5% off monthly memberships or 10% off fixed-term memberships, plus no joining fee (normally about £15).
The cost of membership depends on the location, but Pure Gym says monthly memberships start from £15.99 a month.
To get the discount, sign in to Blue Light Card (£4.99 for two years – see more info), and generate a code from its website or via the app.
Days out deals
Get code via Health Service Discounts
NHS workers can sign up for free to Health Service Discounts to get a code for 15% off tickets for outdoor adventure activity Go Ape (30+ locations, find your nearest). Tickets normally cost between £20 and £35.
The offer is valid Sunday to Friday, so you can't get 15% off on Saturdays. The code can't be used with any other offers.
Mobile phone contract offers
25% off 3GB+ or 15% off 1GB+ airtime plans
NHS staff and teachers planning to refresh their O2 tariff are eligible for its O2 Open discount* if you apply within 28 days of the start of your O2 Refresh contract with an eligible handset, tablet, or mobile broadband device.
Complete the verification process via the Open portal, and then sign in again to add the discount. See full T&Cs.
Important: Do check that the offer you sign up for is the most suitable, and cheapest offer for you. Don't take O2's word for it that even with the 15% or 25% off it will be the best offer. See our Cheap Mobile Finder to compare deals before you buy.
More info
You can't get the discount with: Pay As You Go, non-O2 Refresh tariffs, sharer plans, business accounts, Sim only deals and contracts not bought directly from O2.
If your airtime agreement includes any other offers or discounts, such as six months' free airtime, you won’t be eligible for O2 Open. There’s no discount available on Apple Watch airtime plans.
25% off selected airtime plans, or 15% off SIM only or tablet plans
If you register online at Vodafone* with your NHS email address, you'll receive a code for 25% off selected 12 or 24-month pay monthly phones, SIM only plans, or iPad/tablet plans. You'll also be able to extend the benefit to up to five of your friends and family. See full T&Cs for more information.
Important: Do check that the offer you sign up for is the most suitable, and cheapest offer for you. Don't take Vodafone's word for it that even with the 15% or 25% off it will be the best offer. See our Cheap Mobile Finder to compare deals before you buy.
Including extra data, 20% off for family, plus priority phone repair
If you register online at EE* with your NHS email address, or NHS photo ID card, you'll receive a code for 20% off your monthly airtime plan when you take out a Flex Pay or 12 or 24-month SIM only plan. You'll also be able to extend the benefit to up to four of your friends and family.
If you run out of data, this offer also gives you free unlimited data at a reduced speed of 2Mbps so you'll still be able to access the internet, albeit at a slower speed.
If your phone breaks, it also allows priority phone repair, which EE says will take up to seven days (and could even take 'as little as one day') instead of the usual up to 14 days to repair. See EE help pages, or full T&Cs for more information.
Important: Do check that the offer you sign up for is the most suitable, and cheapest offer for you – don't take EE's word for it that even with the 20% off it will be the best offer. See our Cheap Mobile Finder to compare deals before you buy.
Uniform tax refund – reclaim £100s from up to five years of expenses
If you have to wash or repair your uniform yourself, you may be able to claim tax relief, which could be £100s. The standard flat-rate expense allowance for uniform maintenance is £60 – though many working in the NHS are entitled to more. See our FREE uniform tax refund guide for full information on eligibility and how to claim.
But in a nutshell, claim a uniform tax refund, and you'll get back the amount of tax you would otherwise have paid. For example, the flat-rate annual expense for ambulance staff is £185. So a basic-rate taxpayer gets 20% of £185 as a rebate – which is £37. Higher-rate taxpayers will get back £74.
In addition to their standard allowance (£125), nurses and midwives can also claim for shoes, socks and tights.
What’s more, you can reclaim from up to five tax years.
OCCUPATION | ALLOWANCE | BASIC-RATE TAXPAYER GETS | HIGHER-RATE GETS |
|---|---|---|---|
Ambulance staff on active service | £185 | £37 | £74 |
Nurses, midwives, chiropodists, dental nurses, therapists, healthcare assistants, phlebotomists and radiographers | £125, plus 12 shoes and 6 tights or stockings (where everyone is required to wear the same colour/style) | £25 | £50 |
Plaster room orderlies, hospital porters, ward clerks, sterile supply workers, hospital domestics and hospital catering staff | £125 | £25 | £50 |
Laboratory staff, pharmacists and pharmacy assistants | £80 | £16 | £32 |
Uniformed ancillary staff – maintenance workers, grounds staff, drivers, parking attendants and security guards, receptionists and other uniformed staff | £80 | £16 | £32 |
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