With the NHS facing significant strain and extended waiting times, the emphasis on preventative healthcare has never been more important. As a result, both employees and employers are placing greater importance on proactive health strategies. In our latest blog, I investigate cutting-edge advancements in health screening benefits and examine how HR teams are effectively incorporating these into their wellness programmes and initiatives.
The growing popularity of preventative healthcare benefits
Alarming figures from the Office of National Statistics in 2023 revealed that 2.5 million people reported long-term sickness – up from 2 million in 2019. As health concerns loom large and NHS resources struggle with demand, there’s a growing appetite for individuals and employers to prioritise proactive healthcare measures.
This shift towards preventative healthcare has led to a surge in innovative health screening benefits within employee health and wellbeing schemes. These benefits cater to employee health needs and contribute to productivity and employee satisfaction.
5 health screening benefits trends and innovations to consider
In the remote working era, there is a greater emphasis on looking after our physical and mental health. Employers are under increasing pressure to provide the tools and opportunities to prioritise this.
Here are 3 health screening benefits innovations fueling preventative healthcare trends:
1. Wearable technology
Pete Brown, PwC’s Global Workforce Leader, stated, “The frontier of wearables is the world of work.” Wearable devices can track various health metrics, such as heart rate, sleep patterns, and physical activity levels. Employers are leveraging this technology to provide personalised health insights to employees, empowering them to take proactive steps towards improving their well-being and work-life balance.
Microsoft employees enjoyed a 47% boost in physical activity and a 5% reduction in body mass index after its initiative to prioritise workforce health and wellness through technology.
3. Virtual health screenings
Consider incorporating virtual health screenings and mental health support in your benefits schemes. Proactively addressing mental health can foster a supportive work environment and help employees manage stress and mental health challenges. You can provide access to mental health professionals for counselling and therapy sessions and online mental health assessments to identify potential issues.
4. Telemedicine
With the rise of remote work, employers are embracing telemedicine for health and lifestyle benefits. Telemedicine eliminates the need for in-person visits, improving accessibility and convenience while ensuring continuity of care for employees. Plus, staff can undergo health assessments and consultations with healthcare professionals at home or in the office.
5. Health risk assessments and personalised wellness plans
Offering comprehensive health risk assessments allows employees to evaluate their health status and identify areas for improvement. You can then tailor wellness plans to their specific needs and goals. Plans can include recommendations for lifestyle adjustments and preventive health screenings, encouraging employees to take better care of their health.
How employees can adapt their benefits schemes towards preventive healthcare solutions
Health screening benefits offer convenient access to regular screenings, bypassing public healthcare complexities. Drive adoption by crafting tailored schemes, selecting screening options and partnering with providers. Use data analytics to customise benefits and optimise resource allocation.
Gympass’ 2023 Return on Wellbeing Study, which surveyed over 2,000 HR leaders, found that 98% of companies saw an improvement in employee satisfaction following the implementation of a wellness program. The study also revealed that 85% of employees are likely to stay in a role if their company took better care of their wellbeing.
Wellness initiatives can include fitness challenges, nutrition workshops and stress management seminars, and you can incentivise participation with rewards. Education is key. Empower employees with preventive healthcare knowledge and address financial concerns that can alleviate stress, improving overall well-being.
Summary
The latest innovations in health screening benefits are revolutionising employee wellness schemes, offering personalised solutions that encourage individuals to take charge of their health. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies and innovative benefits, preventative healthcare can create a culture that provides value for employees and organisations.
FlexGenius allows HR teams to incorporate health and wellbeing benefits into their schemes and seamlessly communicate them with staff.
If you’d like to join companies experiencing increased employee engagement and retention by offering thousands of benefits, sign up to FlexGenius today.
To find out more about FlexGenius or book a demo of our leading flexible employee benefits software solution, book a demo now or visit our contact page or give our team a call on 0800 652 4745.
This article was first published on the REBA website. FlexGenius is a member of REBA, the Reward and Employee Benefits Association.
