Simplyhealth

With 2.83m people off work due to long-term sickness, accessible healthcare for all has never been more important. To achieve this, we’re calling on the Government to... 1. Acknowledge low-cost health cover as an effective method of tackling in-work sickness and driving the prevention agenda. 2. Reduce excessive tax burdens placed upon health cover products, employers and their employees. 3. Collaborate with the health protection industry to understand and unlock the role it can play in driving a healthier nation.

Half of parents say their children haven’t visited a dentist by age three, despite official guidance being to go when first milk teeth appear. That’s according to new research from Denplan (part of Simplyhealth), published today in the Denplan Oral Health Survey 2024. The annual survey is of over 5,000 UK adults – making it one of the largest surveys of dental health habits in the country. The survey found that parents would welcome further education on oral healthcare habits, with 86% agreeing that good habits should be taught in childhood to improve health for life. Almost four in ten parents (37%) think the government should implement oral health education in schools to help tackle the current children’s dental crisis. School-supervised toothbrushing would be welcomed by almost half of parents (49%). Catherine Rutland, dentist and our clinical director said: “Unfortunately, many parents think “they’re only baby teeth so there’s no need to go to the dentist,” however baby teeth can stay with us until we’re around 12 years old. Currently tooth decay is still the number one reason children aged 6-10 are admitted to hospital, which is deeply saddening.” Find out more about the oral health habits and attitudes of Great Britain in the report: https://lnkd.in/gVz4kgma

Recently, in the House of Commons, we launched our new report, ‘Improving access to healthcare via the workplace’, in partnership with the Purpose Coalition, on the role of business in improving access to healthcare. With one in three people set to develop a long-term health condition throughout their lives and 2.8 million people currently economically inactive due to long term sickness, the need for action is urgent. The report sets out the measures to make healthcare more accessible via the workplace, helping people stay well and productive at work. Find out more and read the full report on our recommendations for how to make it easier for businesses to reverse the workforce sickness epidemic and reduce economic inactivity here: https://lnkd.in/e4BwZx-s

According to our recent research, nearly three in ten Brits are struggling with back pain at work, and it is the second most common cause of sick days. Our Chief Customer Officer Claudia Nicholls-Magielsen, explains in Workplace Wellbeing Professional the steps that employers can take to help staff – both to prevent back pain and to support those who are already struggling. Read her advice here: https://lnkd.in/dcUE5x92 

We’ve existed for 150 years, and we plan to exist for another 150 more, so we can continue our mission to improve access to healthcare for all in the UK. That’s why we’re committed to doing business sustainably, not just with words but with our actions. In the last five years, we’ve reduced our greenhouse gas emissions by 57.3% and reduced our operational waste by 73.8%. Find out more about our approach to sustainability on our website: https://lnkd.in/eYGX3d8h

“Simplyhealth always gets a really positive response from people.” That’s according to Arnold Clark's Recruitment Advisor, Emma Callaghan, when she tells prospective new employees about our Health Plan benefit that Arnold Clark provides to its staff.

With a critical Autumn Budget later this month for the health of our nation and economic prosperity, we welcome British Chambers of Commerce call on the government to improve workplace health and reverse the current workforce sickness epidemic by removing the heavy tax burdens. Earlier this week, Shevaun Haviland highlighted the role health plans can play in a series of health tax recommendations to support workers leave NHS waiting lists and harness the part employers can play in improving the health of the nation. Over half of employees (52%) say that if their employer offered a form of health cover, such as GP appointments and physio, they wouldn’t need to take as much time off sick. Employer-provided health cover doesn’t have to be expensive or only for the few. Our low-cost health plans are helping working people, from lorry drivers to supermarket shelf stackers, teachers and posties every day. This autumn budget provides a significant opportunity to reverse the workforce sickness epidemic; supporting people to stay healthy in work, businesses to thrive and our economy to grow. https://lnkd.in/eBQBfTYS (Opinium/Simplyhealth, July 2024) 

We’ve teamed up with Spectrum.Life to offer a new Digital Mental Health service which will provide fast access to mental health support for millions of people. This collaboration represents a pivotal advancement in expanding access to mental healthcare across the UK. With nearly 1 in 4 UK workers impacted by stress, anxiety, or depression are on a mission to help reverse the workforce sickness epidemic and support working Brits back to health. The innovative Digital Mental Health service uses a network of 2350+ fully accredited, highly qualified Counsellors and Psychotherapists, allowing our Health Plan members to assess their mental health need, select a counsellor, and access appropriate counselling. The new service has been designed to respond to a surge in demand from users looking for quick access to mental health support, 24/7, on digital channels that fit in with their lives. Find out more about the service: https://lnkd.in/gNS-u4bR

📢 Six in ten NHS dental patients would consider paying for private dental care to get better access, according to new data from the annual Denplan (part of Simplyhealth) Oral Health Survey. The report also found that a third of people worry about the cost of visiting a dentist, with those who had health cover less likely to worry about the cost, and more likely to go regularly (87% of those with health cover went every two years compared to 69% of without cover). Our low-cost Health Plans are available for individuals, and for companies who want to support their employees. They allow people to claim back money spent on dental care, so they can stay well and out of pain, reducing the number of sick days taken for oral health issues. Find out more about the research here: https://lnkd.in/e4AGfMQE

We’re delighted to be in Parliament today for the launch of our new report “Improving access to healthcare via the workplace” with the @thisispurpose. Joining us are businesses, health experts and MPs all united by a common agenda: how to help people stay healthy and in work, so we can improve health outcomes and reduce economic inactivity.