Inhouse Staff vs Outsourcing Workflow
When a practice considers hiring an in-house medical secretary, the instinct is to look at salary.
A medical secretary in the UK earns between £25,000 and £32,000 per year depending on experience, location, and the complexity of the role. But salary is only one part of what the position actually costs.
As an employer, you are also responsible for employer National Insurance contributions - currently 13.8% on earnings above the secondary threshold. You are required to contribute a minimum of 3% to the employee's pension under auto-enrolment. You carry liability for 28 days of statutory holiday including bank holidays, and for statutory sick pay when the employee is unwell.
Beyond the statutory obligations, there are the costs that rarely appear on a job offer but are very real: recruiting the right person (typically £1,500 to £3,000 for a specialist role), onboarding and training time, equipment and software licences, and the management attention the role requires. These costs do not disappear once the role is filled - they recur with every absence, every resignation, and every period of high demand.
The table below sets out a conservative estimate of the true annual cost of an in-house medical secretary, compared with an equivalent level of outsourced transcription support.
Disclaimer note:
Figures are illustrative and based on UK statutory rates current as of 2026. Actual employer costs will vary depending on salary, location, working hours, and individual circumstances. OutSec Medical costs are based on standard transcription rates and typical usage volumes for an independent consultant or small practice. Use our calculator above for a personalised estimate.
The Outsourcing Comparison
OutSec Medical operates on a pay-as-you-go basis. You pay only for the audio minutes you record - there are no employment obligations, no overhead costs, and no minimum commitment.
A consultant or independant specialist managing clients, letters and reports dictates approximately 20 audio minutes per week, would spend approximately £1,456 per year at our standard rate of £1.40 (excluding VAT) per audio minute.
A busier consultant dictating 40 minutes per week would spend approximately £2,912 per year.
Compared with the £37,000 to £42,000 true annual cost of a full-time in-house medical secretary, the difference is substantial - particularly for practitioners who do not require full-time administrative cover.
For practices that do require higher volumes of support, our Remote Medical Secretary and PA packages provide dedicated, experienced support. Rate packages will be tailored according to your needs which will still a fraction of the cost of a salaried employee, with none of the associated obligations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to find out more about how OutSec Medical works?
Explore our Clinical Transcription Services, our Medico-Legal Transcription Services,
or our Remote Medical Secretary and PA Support packages,
or Speak To Our Team directly and we will talk you through the options.
Keep up the excellent work
“I have used OutSec for years and have never looked elsewhere.
My reports are often 10–15 pages long, and outsourcing the transcription saves me hours of typing.
The work is consistently accurate, with any uncertainties clearly highlighted against the exact time in the dictation.
Turnaround is typically within 24 hours, and the support is excellent.
OutSec allows me to focus on my clinical opinions rather than worrying about transcription.
I have no hesitation in recommending them.”
Dr Charlie Vivian
Consultant Occupational Physician
See How Much You Could Save
Whether you are considering outsourcing for the first time or reviewing an existing arrangement, our team is happy to walk you through the numbers. There is no setup fee and no obligation, just a straightforward conversation about whether OutSec Medical is right for your practice.
no setup fee | pay only for what you use