Easing the impact of NHS delays with medical benefits
Figures recently published by the BMA reveal the immense pressure that the NHS continues to be under.
According to NHS backlog data analysis for August 2023, 7,745,030 patients are waiting for treatment in the UK. Of those patients, 3.25 million have been waiting more than 18 weeks and 397,000 have been waiting for over a year.
Appointment cancellations are also a problem and have further repercussions. A report by the government’s Health Watch found that 66% of people reported effects on mental health and disrupted sleep due to medical cancellations.
The culprit is clear: Covid-19.
The strain is being felt locally, putting pressure on GP services, with 26% of patients waiting more than one week to get a GP appointment.
You need your employees to be healthy to remain engaged, motivated and productive. The longer it takes for employees to get medical help and treatment, the more significant the impact on all involved.
One-third (33%) of employees also say speedier access to a GP would cut work absences, so any steps employers can take to mitigate a delay will yield a return.
Reduce the impact
Going private gives your employees faster access to consultants. It also helps to relieve the burden on the NHS because it doesn’t fund the treatment.
Employers can make private medical cover (PMI) more affordable for employees via a group policy. However, the cost per head can be a blocker. In many organisations, PMI is limited to senior or executive leaders. This saves money, but is not an inclusive approach to employee wellbeing.
A digital health platform bridges this gap, making private GP appointments accessible for all employees. Digital health platforms provide access to GPs virtually, a wealth of health resources, and are an essential benefit for businesses and employees alike.
Figures from our Online GP digital health platform for September 2023 showed that 100% of appointments were booked within 24 hours and 96% in 8 hours.
This turnaround makes a significant difference to employees seeking treatment, getting them on the road to recovery more quickly.
Additionally, since the consultations are via phone or video call, employees can speak with a GP or Advanced Nurse Practitioner from the comfort of their home. It’s a convenient solution for employers and employees since they don’t use working time travelling to and waiting in a GP surgery.
Nurturing mental resilience
Delays in receiving treatment affect employee mental health. You can help them back to health by including an employee assistance programme (EAP) in your wellbeing offering.
An employee awaiting treatment could be physically able to work. However, the impact of the illness and the delays may lead to them being mentally and emotionally incapable of working.
Providing access to confidential counselling services could make a big difference to employees living with illness or awaiting treatment. More than crisis support, employers ought to see their EAP as a preventative tool – a resource hub that keeps employees healthy, helping them cope with the hurdles life throws their way.
Thank you to our NHS
We’re incredibly lucky to have a free-at-point-of-use health service in the UK. It’s easy to lose sight of the fantastic work our NHS doctors, nurses and employees do when headlines focus on the problems.
Recognising the strain the NHS is under isn’t being negative, it’s realistic and employers can make a significant difference with their physical wellbeing offering.
In partnership with Pluxee UK
Pluxee UK, is a leading employee benefits and engagement partner that opens up a world of opportunities to help people enjoy more of what really matters in their lives.
