UK health reform pressurising employers - research

The UK’s largest employers expect public health reform plans to cost their firms dearly as they are expected to pick up a greater share of health provision.

Research by London South Bank University and wellbeing consultants Vielife of companies with over 1000 employees, has shown 47% predict increased per-employee health benefit costs compared to only 4% expecting decreases.

Over half of those polled (58%) believe UK employers are already bearing much of the economic burden of ill health costs, chronic disease and incapacity, while 49% think many of the UK workforce's health problems are attributable to generally worsening public health.

The most likely change to healthcare provision by organisations surveyed that were aware of the Health & Social Care Bill is the introduction of health & wellness programmes that allow employees to manage their own health improvement.

The emergence of a ‘workplace lottery' of health provision is considered likely by half of respondents, if employee benefits become more central to public health.

Mike Beason, managing director of Vielife, said: "UK employers are rightly concerned about the financial impact that a shared ‘big society' style role in public health could bring, even though they know that employee wellbeing affects productivity and profitability directly.

"We believe that the government has a willing and valuable health partner amongst employers but it must give them a solid framework in which to provide health initiatives that benefit their corporate objectives as well as wider society."

With workplace health viewed as a significant threat to the UK's economic performance and competitiveness by 66% of respondents, only 10% want the government to play the lead role in improving public health; 76% believe the best result will be achieved under a collective effort between the government, the private sector and individuals themselves.

Professor Nicola Crichton of London South Bank University's Institute of Primary Care & Public Health, said, "Prevention is more effective than cure in the pursuit of lower health spending but improving public attitudes to wellbeing to reduce pressure on the public health purse requires a committed, single minded and consistent approach across public services, the private sector and workplaces."