Full notice table
| Band / Grade | Employee notice | Employer notice (contractual) | Employer notice (statutory minimum) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Band 1 | 1 month | 1 month | 1 week (0-2 years); +1 wk per year to cap 12 weeks |
| Band 2 | 1 month | 1 month | Same statutory floor |
| Band 3 | 1 month | 1 month | Same statutory floor |
| Band 4 | 1 month | 1 month | Same statutory floor |
| Band 5 | 2 months | 2 months | Same statutory floor |
| Band 6 | 2 months | 2 months | Same statutory floor |
| Band 7 | 2-3 months (trust) | 2-3 months | Same statutory floor |
| Band 8a | 3 months | 3 months | Same statutory floor |
| Band 8b | 3 months | 3 months | Same statutory floor |
| Band 8c | 3 months | 3 months | Same statutory floor |
| Band 8d | 3-6 months | 3-6 months | Same statutory floor |
| Band 9 | 6 months | 6 months | Same statutory floor |
| Junior Doctor (Foundation / Core / Speciality Training) | 3 months | 3 months | Statutory floor per ERA 1996 s.86 |
| SAS Doctor (Specialty / Associate Specialist) | 3 months | 3 months | Statutory floor |
| Substantive Consultant | 3 months (some 6) | 3-6 months | Statutory floor |
| Clinical Director / Medical Director | 3-6 months | 3-6 months | Statutory floor |
| Very Senior Manager (VSM) | 6 months typical | 6 months | Statutory floor |
| Chief Executive | 6-12 months | 6-12 months | Statutory floor |
How the Agenda for Change framework works
Agenda for Change (AfC) is the national terms and conditions framework for most NHS staff introduced in 2004. It replaced the pre-2004 patchwork of Whitley Councils and local contracts. AfC is negotiated nationally by the NHS Staff Council (unions plus employer representatives) and published as the NHS Terms and Conditions of Service Handbook.
The handbook covers pay bands (1-9), notice, sick pay, annual leave, maternity, pension access, unsocial hours enhancements and grievance procedures. Individual trusts adopt AfC and cannot lawfully undercut it, but can enhance.
Contractual vs statutory notice
NHS notice is set at whichever is higher of:
- The contractual figure in the Terms and Conditions Handbook (Section 15).
- The statutory floor under section 86 Employment Rights Act 1996 (one week from one month of service, rising with tenure for the employer side).
For all NHS bands, the contractual notice is longer than the statutory floor for the employee-to-employer direction; the statutory floor bites for the employer-to-employee direction only for very long-serving staff (12+ years) at Band 1-4, where the statutory 12 weeks exceeds the 1 month contractual figure.
Notice for excluded groups
Some NHS staff are not on AfC:
- Doctors and dentists - separate contracts (2016 Junior Doctors Contract, 2003 Consultant Contract, SAS 2021 contract). See NHS doctors notice periods and NHS consultants notice periods.
- Very Senior Managers (VSM) - individual contracts with individually negotiated notice (usually 6 months).
- Executive board members - individual contracts with individually negotiated notice (usually 6-12 months).
- Bank staff and locums - engagement-specific notice (often 24-48 hours to end an assignment).
- Some Chaplains, Trust Fund employees - local terms.
Probation notice
Probation for AfC bands is usually 6 months. Notice during probation is shorter than the substantive figure:
- Bands 1-4: 1 week during probation, 1 month on confirmation.
- Bands 5-6: 1 month during probation, 2 months on confirmation.
- Bands 7 and above: 1 month during probation, 2-3 months on confirmation.
See NHS probation period and probation period notice period for the framework.
Notice mechanics
- Written resignation to the line manager copied to HR. Email accepted.
- Notice runs from HR receipt date, in calendar months (not calendar-month boundaries).
- ESR (Electronic Staff Record) will be updated by HR - check the leaver date is correct.
- Final pay, accrued holiday and any owed enhancements paid in the next standard payroll run.
- P45 issued within 30 days of leaving.
- NHS pension record preserved; refund of contributions available if under 2 years scheme membership.
- Return of ID badge, uniform, keys and any trust equipment on the final day.
Reciprocal calculators and guides
Direct links to the most-used calculators and band pages:
- NHS notice period calculator - work out your final working day.
- NHS Band 2, Band 3, Band 4, Band 5, Band 6, Band 7, Band 8a, Band 8b, Band 8c - band-specific guides.
- NHS doctors notice periods.
- NHS consultants notice periods.
- NHS employment rights pillar.
- NHS resignation guide.
Where the table might not apply
- Trust-specific enhancements. Some trusts have negotiated longer notice for particular roles (Community NHS trusts and integrated care systems in particular). Check your contract.
- Legacy contracts. Staff who transferred into AfC in 2004 may have preserved rights. Check the transfer letter and Occupational Pay Preservation arrangements.
- Devolved arrangements. Scotland (Agenda for Change equivalent under NHSScotland), Wales (NHS Wales AfC) and Northern Ireland (HSC AfC) have similar but not identical frameworks. Local handbook applies.
- Employed by GP practices or non-NHS employers. AfC does not apply; the private-employer contract does.
Useful calculators
- NHS notice period calculator
- Notice period calculator
- Final working day calculator
- Holiday entitlement calculator
- PILON calculator
Related NHS guides
- NHS notice periods by band
- NHS employment rights
- NHS resignation guide
- NHS redundancy rights
- NHS probation period
- NHS doctors notice periods
- NHS consultants notice periods
Authority pages
Frequently asked questions
- What is the NHS AfC notice period for Band 5?
- 2 months on both sides under the AfC Terms and Conditions Handbook Section 15. Statutory notice under section 86 Employment Rights Act 1996 acts as a floor, but for Band 5 the contractual 2 months always applies as it exceeds the statutory minimum.
- Do NHS doctors follow Agenda for Change?
- No. Doctors and dentists are on separate national contracts - the 2016 Junior Doctors Contract, the 2003 Consultant Contract and the 2021 SAS Contract. AfC covers most other NHS clinical and non-clinical staff (nurses, allied health professionals, healthcare scientists, admin, estates, catering).
- Where is the AfC notice figure defined?
- In Section 15 of the NHS Staff Council Terms and Conditions of Service Handbook (Agenda for Change). Sections 15.1 and 15.2 cover employer and employee notice respectively. Sections 15.3-15.5 cover interaction with statutory notice.
- What notice does a Very Senior Manager give?
- Individually negotiated in the appointment contract. 6 months is typical. Some VSM contracts extend to 12 months, particularly for Chief Executives, Executive Medical Directors and Executive Directors of Finance.
- Does AfC apply in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?
- Yes but each nation has its own AfC handbook. NHSScotland, NHS Wales and HSC (Northern Ireland) each publish AfC-equivalent terms and conditions with the same band structure but small local variations in enhancements and specific clauses. Check the handbook for your nation.
Sources and further reading
- NHS Staff Council: Terms and Conditions Handbook — The AfC master document, updated annually.
- NHS Employers: Agenda for Change — AfC framework reference.
- Employment Rights Act 1996, section 86 — Statutory notice floor for all UK employees.
- NHS Pensions — NHS pension scheme reference.
- Royal College of Nursing: employment — Union guidance on NHS employment terms.
General information about NHS notice, not personal advice. For your situation, contact the NHS Staff Council, your trust HR or your professional body.