29 Jul 2026

Bridge the healthcare gap: Getting maximum ROI from health programmes

As healthcare coverage and costs continue to be strained, employers and employees are asking whether they are getting value for money.

As access to healthcare becomes increasingly challenging and employers face growing pressure to support workforce wellbeing, many organisations are investing heavily in employee health benefits.

From private medical support and virtual GP services to mental health resources and wellbeing initiatives, workplace healthcare is playing a growing role in supporting employees to stay healthy, productive and engaged.

Yet a fundamental question remains: is that investment translating into meaningful outcomes for employees and employers alike?

The Hidden Workplace Healthcare Gap Report explores the growing disconnect between the healthcare support employers provide and what employees actually experience.

Drawing on research with both employers and employees, the report uncovers significant gaps in awareness, accessibility and engagement that may be preventing organisations from realising the full value of their workplace healthcare programmes.

Is more investment the answer?

At a time when employers face increasing pressure to improve wellbeing, reduce health-related absence and support productivity, understanding how employees interact with workplace healthcare is key.

While many organisations continue to expand and enhance their healthcare provision, the research suggests that additional investment is not necessarily the answer. The effectiveness of any healthcare programme ultimately depends on whether employees know it exists, understand its value and can access it easily when they need support.

The report investigates the relationship between investment and impact, examining where workplace healthcare strategies are succeeding, where they are falling short and what organisations can do to bridge the gap.

Through data-driven insights and expert analysis, it provides a practical framework for employers looking to create healthcare programmes that are not only available, but visible, accessible and valued by employees.

Key findings

81% of employers believe workplace healthcare support has improved over the past year, compared with just 50% of employees.
28% of employees have taken time off work because they were unable to access care.
Despite increased investment in workplace health support, only 25% of employees have used workplace benefits to obtain care more quickly.
Younger employees face particular challenges, with 36% of 18–24-year-olds reporting additional time off work while waiting for treatment.

Awareness is key

Beyond the statistics, the findings reveal a broader challenge facing employers. The issue is often not a lack of healthcare provision, but a lack of awareness, visibility and engagement.

Many employees remain unaware of the support available to them, are unsure how to access services, or encounter barriers that prevent them from using benefits effectively at the point of need.

Navigation and access

The report also highlights the wider implications for organisations.

Difficulties accessing healthcare can contribute to increased absence, reduced productivity and poorer health outcomes, while employees who are unable to navigate available support may fail to receive timely interventions that could help them remain healthy and at work.

For employers, this raises important questions about the return on investment of workplace health programmes and whether existing provisions are delivering the intended outcomes.

Particular attention is given to the experiences of younger employees, who appear more likely to face challenges both in accessing healthcare and understanding the support available to them. As organisations seek to attract, retain and support the next generation of talent, ensuring healthcare benefits are communicated effectively and designed around employee needs will become increasingly important.

Through expert commentary and detailed analysis, the report explores why these gaps exist and identifies practical opportunities for employers to improve awareness, simplify access and better align healthcare provision with employee expectations, by exploring:

The factors driving the gap between employer investment and employee experience.
How challenges accessing healthcare are affecting workforce wellbeing, absence and productivity.
Why awareness and accessibility remain significant barriers to healthcare utilisation.
The workplace health priorities and expectations of today's employees.
The challenges facing younger workers when accessing healthcare support.
Practical strategies for improving engagement with workplace healthcare provision.
How employers can maximise the impact and value of their healthcare investment.

Download the report here.