The National standards for healthcare portering services elevate the visibility, professionalism, and quality of portering services across NHS organisations in England.

Developed in collaboration with the profession, they recognise the contribution portering staff make to patient care and operational efficiency, while supporting workforce development and strategic leadership.

Quality and safety are at the heart of these standards. Porters are frequently the first and last point of contact for patients, families and visitors, playing a direct role in patient safety, dignity, and flow. As one of the largest non-clinical, patient-facing staff groups in the NHS, their contribution is essential to delivering safe and compassionate care.

The accompanying maturity matrix helps organisations assess current provision and plan for continuous improvement, ensuring services are consistently delivered to a high standard.

Aligned to the 10 Year Health Plan and the forthcoming 10 Year Workforce Plan, these standards recognise the value of portering teams and reaffirm our collective responsibility to support all those who contribute to patient care.