New research published by Future Health (Better Together-V6 FINAL) finds that over half of businesses are concerned by long NHS waiting lists and the impact from increasing staff sickness rates.

The new research highlights the economic concerns of businesses from long NHS waiting lists and the nation’s poor health.

There are an estimated 3.7 million working-age people in employment with a work-limiting health condition and 2.7 million people out of work and economically inactive.[1][2] NHS waiting lists are at record levels.

The research sponsored by the Independent Healthcare Providers Network (IHPN) finds that:

• Over half (52%) of businesses are very or fairly concerned that current NHS waiting times may result in their employees taking long absences or permanently leaving work due to sickness
• Over a quarter (28%) of businesses have seen an increase in sickness absence in the last 12 months. In comparison just 10% have seen a decrease
• 1 in 4 (24%) businesses are planning to offer or introduce more private medical insurance provision in the next 12 months and over 1 in 5 (22%) are planning to offer or introduce more employee assistance programmes

The polling of 1,000 businesses was undertaken late last month by Savanata on the eve of Rachel Reeves’ first budget as Chancellor. The Budget included an increase in employer’s national insurance which the report argues could now curtail business investment in employee health programmes, aimed at keeping people healthier and in work for longer.[4]

The report was covered in the Sunday Express: https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1976947/firms-consider-private-medical-insurance?utm_source=mynewsassistant.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=embedded_search_item_desktop

The report makes a series of recommendations for how Government and businesses can work in partnership to deliver a healthier more productive workforce and increased economic growth. Recommendations for Government include:

• Following through on the previous Government’s consultation and introduce tax incentives for employers for investing in occupational health and employee health benefit schemes including health checks, vaccinations and access to occupational health equipment[5]
• Expanding the occupational health workforce through the planned refresh of the NHS Long-Term NHS workforce plan in 2025[6]
• Improving the guidance, information and support available to small and medium sized companies to support them in identifying and selecting occupational health and employee health benefit schemes
• The introduction of a minimum standards framework for occupational health services in all workplaces
• Ensure that the NHS ten year plan reforms focus on workforce health and in particular the better identification and management of patients with conditions that are driving increased workforce absence, such as back pain and arthritis

Richard Sloggett, Programme Director at Future Health said: “These findings show that the poor health of the nation and long waits for NHS treatment are a handbrake on economic growth. Businesses are recording increasing levels of sickness amongst their staff and are worried about long waits for NHS treatment. The decision to raise employers national insurance risks a reduction in investment in occupational health and employee health schemes. The Government now needs to respond with a clear offer to businesses that incentivises employee health related investment, supports small and medium sized businesses in expanding their health offerings to staff along with a necessary expansion of the occupational health workforce. Growth will continue to be anaemic unless we get Britain’s workforce healthier.”

David Hare, Chief Executive of the Independent Healthcare Providers Network (IHPN), said:  “This important new report makes crystal clear the link between the health and wealth of the country, and the need for Government and businesses to work together and make improving workplace health a top priority.

“Businesses are telling us they want to invest more in promoting health, including more occupational health support for mental health and musculoskeletal conditions and the option of private medical insurance coverage that helps people get back to work quickly. Government support for this agenda would not only help reduce the rates of economic activity and improve the health of the workforce but also deliver the economic growth the country so desperately needs.”

[1] https://www.health.org.uk/publications/long-reads/what-we-know-about-the-uk-s-working-age-health-challenge

[2] https://bbc.co.uk/news/business-52660591

[3] https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/Aug24-RTT-SPN-Publication-PDF-388K-v2.pdf

[4] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/autumn-budget-2024/autumn-budget-2024-html

[5] https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/joint-hmt-hmrc-consultation-on-tax-incentives-for-occupational-health/tax-incentives-for-occupational-health-consultation

[6] https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/nhs-long-term-workforce-plan/