A new “Coffee Clinic”, designed to provide specialist financial guidance and fit around the demanding schedules of NHS doctors, came to Birmingham this week for one day only.
Located near Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, the Coffee Clinic served more than 700 cups of coffee to doctors and offered NHS staff access to specialist financial guidance from advisers.
This is supported by new research commissioned by Wesleyan, which shows that more than a third of doctors with multiple roles say they have received an unexpected tax bill (36%), while around one in six report difficulties accessing mortgages (14%) or loans (17%) due to multiple income streams.
Dr Sarah Packer, Consultant Geriatrician, who visited the clinic, shared: “I wish I knew more about pensions because the NHS pension is very complicated and the information is not that easily accessible. When you are a resident doctor and you rotate every year or even every six or four months, it can be very difficult to keep track of all the financial information and pension contributions that you’ve made.”
Wesleyan launched the initiative as doctors face increasingly complicated financial decisions. The issue is becoming more acute as more clinicians take on portfolio careers, juggling multiple roles and income streams. Many also identified the NHS pension scheme — one of the most complex in the public sector — as a major financial headache.
New research commissioned by Wesleyan highlights the scale of this shift. Two thirds (67%) of UK doctors now hold multiple roles, often combining NHS work with private practice, teaching or consultancy. While this creates opportunities, it can also introduce additional financial considerations.
Despite the benefits of portfolio careers – including higher earning potential and greater flexibility – many doctors report practical challenges. Almost six in ten (59%) cite increased workload, balancing multiple roles (35%) and additional NHS admin (31%) as key issues.
Time pressures can make it difficult for doctors to engage with their finances, particularly where circumstances are already complex. NHS pension structures, variable income and non-linear career paths mean many require support that reflects the realities of modern medical careers.
Dr Packer also shared: “The most common factor that restricts me from thinking about my finances is time. Especially because we work a lot of shifts. The way that we’re paid in terms of uplifts for shifts and weekends makes it more difficult and less straightforward than the 9 to 5 job.”
The sentiment was echoed by Dr Brian Willis, GP, another attendee: “The issue is whether people have the time to actually look at it or find the time to look at it.”
Alec Collie, Head of Medical Services, Wesleyan, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome local doctors to our first Coffee Clinic in Birmingham and serve more than 700 cups of coffee to our hard-working NHS heroes.
Many doctors are now balancing multiple roles alongside their clinical work, which can make financial planning more complex. We often hear from doctors managing different income streams, pension arrangements and tax considerations, with limited time to seek support.
The Coffee Clinic provided an accessible, no-obligation way to start those conversations and access practical financial guidance when the time is right.”
Local insight suggests similar trends across the West Midlands, with many doctors balancing multiple roles and facing the associated financial challenges.
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