Continuous service explained

What does the term ‘continuous service’ mean?

Continuous service is when an employee has worked within the NHS without a break.

What is a Continuous Service Date or CSD?

HR use a CSD to work out how much, if any, of your service – with a recognised NHS organisation – to take into account when calculating entitlements, such as:

• sick pay
• contractual maternity/paternity/adoption leave
• pay.

How do you work out continuous service?

It doesn’t matter whether you work on a full-time or part-time basis. If you have a break of 12 months of more between your NHS employment, your service is no longer considered continuous. Your CSD is reset to the date you started your most recent employment without a break or 12 months or more.

It’s important you check your CSD is correct. Service outside of an NHS organisation (eg an NHS CCG or NHS Trust) doesn’t count towards continuous service.

Check your continuous service date

Use the 5-step process to help you check your continuous service date in ESR.

Advice and support

If you have any further queries, please contact one of the following members of the HR team:

• Email Selina Jassal, Workforce Information Manager | Tel: 07827 807461
• Email Jenny Brandy, HR Officer | Tel: 07884 338683
• Email Katie Jenkins, Junior HR Officer | Tel: 07787 004463