According to a health at work survey in 2023, the recent capacity crunch in UK healthcare is becoming an issue for employees and employers. 74% of surveyed employees reported that they are having problems accessing NHS healthcare, and 1 in 10 have been severely affected by having an operation cancelled. That means that over half of your workforce could be struggling with a health condition that is affecting their day-to-day lives, including in the workplace. In 2023, 64% of workers utilised their private health insurance in order to access healthcare, up from 53% the previous year.¹
That’s why your wellbeing offering has never been more important, and why it could be the key to gaining the edge over your competitors in the recruitment market. In this article, one of our employee benefits specialists, Martin Potts, shares four key benefits that could help enhance your wellbeing offering, and provide that much-needed extra support at the time your people need it most.
Key takeaways
- Learn which benefits can help your people access medical support
- Understand the value of making healthcare cheaper and more accessible
- Find out how NFP can help you implement and manage these benefits
1. Virtual GP services
Many employers are beginning to feel the knock-on effects of the pandemic on their employees’ wellbeing, with long waiting lists for NHS care and increasing numbers of employees being unable to work while they wait for treatment. So, right now could be the perfect time to implement a virtual GP service. These types of solutions offer 24/7 access to a GP, which helps to diagnose and treat employees, and support them to be productive again as quickly as possible. This is a tangible benefit which also helps employees deal with any anxiety related to their illness.
2. Private medical insurance
Private medical insurance is becoming a sought-after benefit for many job seekers, given the current NHS backlogs. People are also dealing with conditions which may have started in the last few years, but which they put off seeking treatment for, which is further adding to waiting times. When you also consider that working from home has the potential to cause musculoskeletal issues for people working at potentially unsuitable workstations; private medical insurance can be seen as a valuable benefit is your people and their families. Most major providers of medical insurance now also include a Virtual GP service, which can remove the need to offer this as a standalone benefit.
3. Cash plans
Giving your people access to a health cash plan entitles them to financial support for dental, optical, and various therapy treatments. A cash plan refunds these costs (up to the cover amounts) and can even include an option to pay privately for a referral to a consultant, meaning your people can avoid long NHS waiting lists. Some cash plans will even reimburse any policy excess your people need to pay for hospital treatment through their private medical insurance. This can be implemented alongside a medical plan.
4. Wellbeing strategies
Look at encouraging employees to take a break; offer yoga sessions, host walking challenges, even implement a ‘no-email hour’ every day or a meeting free day once a week. If you can, a company-wide ‘thank you day’, where everyone gets a few extra hours off to spend with their loved ones, could be a great boost for morale. You could consider setting up a social committee to create events throughout the year or have charity days to encourage employees to both take a break and positively impact the community at the same time. Involve your people and try and appoint champions for wellbeing - even better, have one of your executive team champion it!
Upskill your managers to spot the signs of mental health issues and consider implementing mindfulness workshops. If you have benefits that include mental health support, you could contact the provider and see what services they can offer for you and your employees.
How can we help
NFP can help you build a wellbeing strategy that brings all your wellbeing benefits, policies, and initiatives together, to maximise the use of your wellbeing benefits and craft an overall employee proposition that is both compelling for your current employees and attractive to potential new ones.
Author
Martin Potts, Employee Benefits Consultant
As one of our team of dedicated consultants, Martin supports businesses with their medical benefits on a daily basis. He knows all too well the challenges that many businesses are facing because of rising medical insurance premiums and is committed to helping his clients navigate these challenges.
To find out more about how we can support your people and your business through the current uncertain times, get in touch today.