UK firms are making a “significant” impact on workplace wellbeing by catching serious conditions early and promoting preventive care as difficulties accessing NHS treatment persists.
This is according to financial services consultancy Broadstone, following the release of Office for National Statistics (ONS) data on the latest experiences of NHS healthcare services in England, revealing that accessibility to NHS care remains low.
Over the last 28 days, 47,917 people attempted to contact their GP, of which a fifth (22%) were unable to make contact on the same day.
According to the data, 15% of patients in England were on a hospital waiting list, of which, two-thirds (62%) did not know when to expect their next hospital appointment or treatment.
Among those on a hospital waiting list with a long-term health conditions or illness that inhibits day-to-day activities, almost half (48%) were dissatisfied with the communication around the waiting times.
Emily Jones, client consulting director at Broadstone, said: “Today’s ONS data reveals the growing difficulties facing NHS primary care services.
“We continue to see an alarming trend, with many people left in the dark about when they’ll receive vital treatments.
“For those with chronic health issues, the lack of clear communication about wait times only compounds the frustration.
“It’s also concerning that almost 11,000 people struggled to access GP services in the last 28 days.
“These delays in access mean many are missing out on crucial early intervention, leading to more severe health complications down the line.”
While expressing hope new funding boost for the NHS announced in the Autumn Budget would improve this position, Jones warned it is likely to take years before a meaningful impact is seen.
“It’s clear that employers will need to continue to fill critical gaps by expanding access to private healthcare provisions,” Jones continued.
“Through introducing health initiatives like private medical insurance, health screenings, and on-site primary care, companies are stepping up to support their employees’ health and productivity.
“By catching serious conditions early and promoting preventive care, businesses are making a significant impact on the wellbeing of their teams and the workforce.
“We expect this trend to continue while the NHS struggles to make progress with its waiting list backlog.”
