NHS not supporting UK business, latest research reveals

Latest research by healthcare solutions provider HSA has found that the majority of UK businesses have no confidence in the NHS. The survey, which was conducted amongst 697 HR professionals during July, found that 80% of businesses didnít believe that the NHS was operating in a way that provides them with adequate support to manage sickness absence levels.

ìWe wanted to explore what UK businesses view as the key threats to workplace health in the future, and what support they felt they needed. It is clear from the findings that businesses are aware of the need to take more responsibility for the future health of their employees, as they donít feel that the Government and the NHS is doing enough,î comments Suzanne Clarkson, Head of Corporate Marketing at HSA. ìThe overwhelming perception is that a healthy workforce is a productive workforce and, consequently, businesses are looking to provide more support to help ensure people stay fit, healthy and at work.î

The research also found the following results:

Over a third of businesses (36%) felt that the health of the UK workforce would deteriorate in the next 5-10 years, and the majority of these respondents (87%) felt that this would lead to a deterioration in the morale and productivity of the workforce

70% of businesses thought that they would choose to take more control over the healthcare of employees in the future

92% of companies were likely to invest more in the promotion of and support for healthier working practices

80% of businesses expect the Government to increase Duty of Care responsibilities for employers within the next 5-10 years

Age discrimination angle
To download a free summary of the report findings, go to www.hsa.co.uk/corporate or email pr@hsa.co.uk. For further information on the range of corporate healthcare plans available from HSA, contact 0800 072 5850.