Expert advice

What is the Blue Light Card?: discounts for nurses and NHS staff

Blue Light Card and other schemes help cut the cost of food shopping, eating out and days out, plus offer free events for members. Find out if you’re eligible

Blue Light Card and other schemes help cut the cost of food shopping, eating out and days out, plus offer free events for members. Find out if you’re eligible

Discounted food shopping, cinema tickets and days out are among the offers available through Blue Light Card Picture: iStock

With living costs spiralling to record levels, many of us are watching every penny.

From coming up with innovative ways to heat our homes to cutting back on all but essential spending, most of the country is feeling the pinch.

Discounts on offer for healthcare staff

One way nurses and other healthcare staff can save money on day-to-day shopping or even a meal out is through discount cards.

During the pandemic, many businesses offered free or cut-price products and services to show their appreciation for nurses. Thousands of high street and online companies have continued to offer discounts for healthcare staff through schemes such as the Blue Light Card.

How does the Blue Light Card work and am I eligible to have one?

Blue Light Card gives nurses and other NHS workers – including health service pensioners – access to more than 15,000 online and in-store discounts for eating out, shopping, travel, days out, gifts, and cinema and other tickets.

It has almost 3 million members across the UK, from NHS and social care staff to emergency services, prison and military personnel. It is open to all NHS staff, as well as nursing students on NHS placement who can produce valid ID.

What benefits and discounts does it offer?

Toby Carvery, Hotels.com, Cineworld, Sky, EE and Halfords are among the participating brands. Restaurants often offer free meals to members for a limited period, so it is always worth checking the latest deals.

Asda confirmed it will extend its offer of 10% store discounts for cardholders until 31 December 2022.

Blue Light Card chief executive Tom Dalby said: ‘We are proud of our partnership with Asda and know how much our members have enjoyed using the discount. I hope the extension helps families and individuals when many need it most.’

The scheme also organises ‘service days’ for members and their families through Blue Light Tickets, which gives cardholders the chance to get free tickets from venues, sports clubs, attractions, festivals and concerts. Forthcoming events include Christmas at Hamleys, tickets for Marwell Zoo in Colchester and Christmas at the Castle at Banchory, near Aberdeen.

Festival fans can get tickets to UK versions of Oktoberfest at various locations, and there is a ballot for tickets to see comedians Jimmy Carr and Jason Manford on tour.

How much does it cost and am I eligible?

The card costs £4.99 and is valid for two years. Eligibility for nurses working in the private sector can vary depending on the division they work for.

You can check your eligibility and sign up on the Blue Light Card website.

Helping to relieve cost of living pressures

There was a surge in nurses and nursing students seeking advice on money matters in September, with the number of people accessing RCN guidance covering topics such as budget planning and charitable funding more than doubling from the previous month.

RCN senior welfare adviser Claire Cannings said current cost of living pressures on nurses could be the worst she has seen in her 20-year career in welfare support. She said nursing students and qualified nurses were resorting to strategies such as selling their clothes and other possessions in an effort to boost their income.

Mr Dalby describes the scheme as a ‘small token of appreciation’. ‘Like their colleagues in the Blue Light community, nurses play a vital role in keeping us all safe and well,’ he said. ‘They provide an essential service, working incredibly hard while coping with physical and mental demands many of us can't even begin to imagine.’

Tips for managing your finances

Source: RCN senior welfare adviser Claire Cannings

What other discount schemes can nurses access?

Blue Light Card is not the only discount scheme available for nurses.

RCN members can access RCNXtra, which offers more than 3,000 discounts across health and well-being, leisure, financial, insurance and legal services.

NHS Staff Benefits offers discounted getaways and help with household services, such as broadband and phone plans. It has a dedicated section for eco-friendly products too.

Health Service Discounts offers NHS staff a cashback card, which can be used to earn cash back on purchases including grocery shopping and clothes.

Nursing students can use Totum, a card and app with hundreds of discounts for higher education students, which is endorsed by the National Union of Students.


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