According to a recent study, more than half of companies are concerned about the long NHS waiting list and its impact on staff sickness rates.
According to the report sponsored by Independent Healthcare Provider Network and Future Health, 52% of companies are “very” or “fairly” concerned about current NHS waiting time, which may lead their employees to take long absences from work or leave permanently due to sickness.
This is in line with a report released by HCML which revealed that 60% of employees struggled to access NHS services.
There are an estimated 3.7 million people of working age with a health condition that limits their ability to work, and 2.7 millions people who are unemployed and economically inactive. NHS waiting lists are at record highs.
In a Future Health survey of over 1,000 companies, it was found that more than a quarter (28%) reported heightened sickness absences in the last 12 months. Just 10% of businesses reported a decrease.
In the next twelve months, a quarter (24%) also said that they planned to increase or offer private medical insurance. Over a fifth of companies (22%) plan to increase employee assistance programs.
The report also urged that the government follow up on the previous government’s consultation, and introduce tax incentives to encourage employers to invest into occupational health and employee benefit schemes. This includes health checks, vaccinations, and access to OH-equipment.
The plan called for the expansion of the OH staff through the refreshment of the NHS Long Term NHS Workforce Plan by 2025.
It added that the NHS 10 year plan reforms should focus on workforce health, and in particular, better identification and treatment of patients with conditions such as back pain or arthritis, which are driving up increased absences from work.
The report recommended that small and medium-sized businesses receive better guidance, information, and support to help them identify and select OH and employee benefit schemes.
The report concluded that a minimum standard framework for occupational healthcare services should be implemented in all workplaces.
Richard Sloggett said, “These findings demonstrate that the poor state of health in the country and the long waits to receive NHS treatment is a brake on economic growth.”
Businesses are concerned about the long waiting times for NHS treatment and are noticing an increase in sickness levels among their employees. The decision to increase employer’s national health insurance could lead to a decrease in investment in employee health and occupational health.
The government must now respond by making a clear offer that encourages businesses to invest in employee health, and supports small- to medium-sized companies in expanding their health services to employees. It also needs to expand the workforce in occupational health. He added that growth will remain anaemic until Britain’s workforce is healthier.
