Name:	ifrs-full_DisclosureOfDefinedBenefitPlansLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The amount of non-current net defined benefit asset. [Refer: Net defined benefit asset]

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Name IAS
-Number 1
-IssueDate 2023-01-01
-Paragraph 55
-URI https://taxonomy.ifrs.org/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=1&code=ifrs-tx-2023-en-r&anchor=para_55&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2023-03-23

Name:	ifrs-full_NoncurrentRecognisedAssetsDefinedBenefitPlan
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

The amount of non-current net defined benefit liability. [Refer: Net defined benefit liability]

Name:	ifrs-full_NoncurrentRecognisedLiabilitiesDefinedBenefitPlan
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Cash inflow (outflow) from trustee buy-in to defined benefit fund

No definition available.

Name:	snn_CashInflowOutflowFromTrusteeBuyInToDefinedBenefitFund
Namespace Prefix:	snn_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

The present value of funded plan, after deducting any plan assets, of expected future payments required to settle the obligation resulting from employee service in the current and prior periods.

No definition available.

Name:	snn_DefinedBenefitObligationAtPresentValueFundedPortion
Namespace Prefix:	snn_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

The present value of unfunded plan of expected future payments required to settle the obligation resulting from employee service in the current and prior periods.

No definition available.

Name:	snn_DefinedBenefitObligationAtPresentValueUnfundedPortion
Namespace Prefix:	snn_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Percentage of entitlement to retirement benefit as percentage of final salary on attainment of retirement age by the defined benefit plans.

No definition available.

Name:	snn_DefinedBenefitPlansEntitlementToRetirementBenefitAsPercentageOfFinalSalary
Namespace Prefix:	snn_
Data Type:	dtr-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Expense recognised on difference between lump sum paid and defined benefit obligation

No definition available.

Name:	snn_ExpenseRecognisedOnDifferenceBetweenLumpSumPaidAndDefinedBenefitObligation
Namespace Prefix:	snn_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Minimum funding requirement to fully fund the present value of accrued benefits.

No definition available.

Name:	snn_FundingPresentValueOfAccruedBenefitsTerm
Namespace Prefix:	snn_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Gain on annuity purchase contract connected to termination of plan

No definition available.

Name:	snn_GainOnAnnuityPurchaseContractConnectedToTerminationOfPlan
Namespace Prefix:	snn_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Lump sum paid in exchange for outstanding plan benefits

No definition available.

Name:	snn_LumpSumPaidInExchangeForOutstandingPlanBenefits
Namespace Prefix:	snn_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Number of countries in which group sponsors defined benefit plans.

No definition available.

Name:	snn_NumberOfCountriesInWhichGroupSponsorsDefinedBenefitPlans
Namespace Prefix:	snn_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Group's number of major defined benefit pension plans.

No definition available.

Name:	snn_NumberOfMajorDefinedBenefitPensionPlans
Namespace Prefix:	snn_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Other comprehensive income gain (loss) on trustee buy-in to defined benefit fund

No definition available.

Name:	snn_OtherComprehensiveIncomeGainLossOnTrusteeBuyInToDefinedBenefitFund
Namespace Prefix:	snn_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Premium amount paid with respect to settlement of plan

No definition available.

Name:	snn_PremiumAmountPaidWithRespectToSettlementOfPlan
Namespace Prefix:	snn_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Transaction value of buy-in to pension fund

No definition available.

Name:	snn_TransactionValueOfBuyInToPensionFund
Namespace Prefix:	snn_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Name:	ifrs-full_FundingArrangementsOfDefinedBenefitPlansAxis=ifrs-full_WhollyUnfundedDefinedBenefitPlansMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	ifrs-full_DefinedBenefitPlansAxis=snn_DefinedBenefitPensionPlansMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	ifrs-full_RangeAxis=ifrs-full_BottomOfRangeMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	ifrs-full_RangeAxis=ifrs-full_TopOfRangeMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	ifrs-full_FundingArrangementsOfDefinedBenefitPlansAxis=ifrs-full_WhollyOrPartlyFundedDefinedBenefitPlansMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	ifrs-full_GeographicalAreasAxis=country_GB
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	ifrs-full_GeographicalAreasAxis=country_US
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	ifrs-full_NonadjustingEventsAfterReportingPeriodAxis=snn_TerminationOfUsPensionPlanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	srt_StatementScenarioAxis=srt_ScenarioForecastMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	ifrs-full_GeographicalAreasAxis=snn_OtherMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: