Wellness starts here: How to set up health screening for your employees

You’ve probably heard this one before, but it’s worth hearing again: prevention is better than cure. That’s why health screening services are such a popular choice for businesses and their employees.

After all, health screening can identify health risks, encourage healthier habits and reduce staff absence.

According to the NHS, people between the ages of 40 and 74 should have a health check every five years, including assessments for heart disease, kidney disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and types of dementia.

However, privately offered health screening can offer more in-depth assessments covering a wider range of health issues. This makes it useful for the whole workforce, young and old!

Let’s explore the different ways you can get health screening for your team.

Hooray Health & Protection helps UK SMEs get employee benefits at the most competitive prices. We provide free advice and no-obligation quotes across a wide range of policies. Contact 01273 222805 or [email protected]

How to access health screening services

There are three ways you can incorporate employee health screening into your employee benefits package:

i. Group Health Insurance policies

Many health insurers include health screening as part of their coverage. This is a great option for businesses already offering health insurance to employees. Some UK health insurers providing health screening within their policies include Bupa, AXA Health, and Aviva.

ii. Group Health Cash Plans

These plans allow employees to claim back the cost of everyday healthcare, including employee health screenings, dentistry, and physiotherapy. Some major UK health insurance providers offering health cash plans include Aviva, Bupa, Health Shield, and Medicash.

iii. Standalone health screening services

Companies can also purchase health screenings independently from specialized providers. This option provides flexibility for businesses that may have limited health insurance plans. Some well-known health screening companies in the UK include Nuffield Health, Circle Health Group, and Bluecrest Wellness.

By offering a health screening, you may be handing an employee their first chance to learn about their health. In fact, employee health screening motivates people to consider their lifestyles and make changes. One study found that 72% of people who take health assessments say they will make positive changes as a result.

What can be covered in a health screening?

Health screening packages vary depending on the provider and the level of screening you’re looking to purchase. Typical screenings can include:

• General health assessments: Basic health checks such as blood pressure, heart rate, height, weight, body weight percentage, and body mass index (BMI).
• Blood tests: These can detect issues such as high cholesterol, diabetes, and other health conditions.
• Cancer screenings: Tests designed to detect cancer early when it’s at its most treatable.
• Vision and hearing tests: Assessments to ensure that vision and hearing are within healthy ranges.
• Lifestyle assessments: Assessments of diet, exercise, and stress levels to provide personalized health advice.

However, there are a lot more services available in more comprehensive packages, including (but not restricted to):

• Lung functions tests
• Spinal assessments
• Urine analysis
• Cardiovascular risk assessments
• Mammograms
• Nutritional analysis
• Thyroid function tests

Altogether, these screenings provide a complete picture of your employee’s health, highlighting undiagnosed conditions and promoting overall wellbeing. Employee health screenings are also more comprehensive than a GP usually offers.

Hooray Health & Protection specialises in helping start-ups and SMEs get affordable employee benefits – and we don’t charge for our expertise. Contact 01273 222805 or [email protected] for no-obligation quotes and support.

How to introduce health screening to employees

An employee study by Blackhawk Network found that 20% of employees looking for a new job are motivated by rewards, incentives, or recognition from their employer.

“I’ve come across many companies who have invested in some form of employee benefits package, but have failed to make staff properly aware of them. It’s important to finish the job by shouting about it and making the benefits easy to access. Only then will they appreciate what you’ve done for them!”

Charlie Cousins, Director, Hooray Health & Protection

Here are a few ways you can introduce health screening services to your employees:

• Digital benefits platforms: Integrate health screening services into a digital benefits platform, wellness app, or company intranet. These platforms can provide easy access to information and booking systems. In addition, they provide value for money, offer simplicity, and are tailored to the size of your business.
• Employee induction: Introduce new hires to the health screening services during their induction process. This ensures that all employees are aware of the benefits available to them from day one.
• Employee benefits presentations: Host regular employee benefits presentations to remind staff of the perks they have available. Explain how health screenings can be beneficial and provide examples of how early detection has helped others.
• Email reminders: Send regular email reminders about the availability of health screening services. A benefits platform often includes automated emails that update staff about new offers and services.
• Health screening days: Some companies even organise employee health screening days, during which medical professionals come to your workplace to conduct screenings. This allows employees to get their health screenings done without taking time off from work.
• Manager training: Consider training managers so they are able to discuss employee health screenings during relevant team meetings and one-to-one sessions.
• Promotional materials: Visual reminders catch the eye, so use posters, brochures, and flyers around the workplace to remind employees of health screenings and other benefits.

Upgrade your benefits with Hooray

By implementing employee health screenings, companies can create a healthier, more productive workforce and potentially reduce long-term healthcare costs for their employees.

There are several ways to provide these benefits, whether through health insurance policies, health cash plans, or standalone services. Take the necessary steps to inform your employees of the available services and encourage them to take advantage of health screenings.

Contact Hooray Health and Protection today if you’re ready to put your employees’ health first. We make insurance easy and provide free quotes tailored to your business needs.