How a private GP can benefit employee health

When you see a private GP, you pay for your appointments rather than receive them for free, as you would with NHS treatment. Many private GP services are staffed by doctors who previously worked in the NHS, so they have the same training and experience as your NHS GP.

There are various private GP services, so you can choose the right provider for your team. Every health insurance policy includes access to a private GP, but you can also set up a subscription with a private GP of your choice. Private GP services range from small independent practices to those run by major healthcare providers, so you can choose the GP services that suit your needs and budget.

Private GP services offer the same healthcare as your NHS GP, although they may not be ideal if your employees need ongoing treatment for chronic conditions.

Most private GP services offer a choice of appointment types so your employees can access the appointments that best suit their needs. GP services typically let patients choose between an online video consultation or a telephone appointment. Many providers also offer face-to-face consultations at a local clinic or treatment centre.

A private GP can offer advice on self-care and over-the-counter medication, issue private prescriptions and make referrals as needed.

Private GP services have many benefits for employee health and can also offer business advantages. Before investing in employee health benefits, it's a good idea to speak with your accountants and financial advisers to discuss the financial implications. Employee health insurance is an allowable expense for corporation tax purposes but can affect your employees' tax affairs, so it's vital you seek professional advice before proceeding.

Let's consider some of the benefits of access to a private GP for you and your team.

Quick access to appointments

An NHS GP provides excellent care, but getting an appointment can be challenging. Most NHS GP practices have various staff, such as trained nurses and pharmacists, so patients don't necessarily have to see a doctor. However, your employees may be registered with a practice that opens the phone lines at 8 am and allocates all appointments then. Systems such as these can create a lottery based on who can get through first. It can also create practical difficulties if being on hold with their GP interrupts their journey to work.

Private GP services typically let your employees book an appointment online so they don't need to wait on the phone.

Longer appointments

A consultation with your NHS GP typically lasts around ten minutes and usually only deals with one medical issue. You'll need to book another appointment if you need to discuss more than one problem during your consultation.

By contrast, private GP services typically offer longer appointments of up to 30 minutes. Some services let your employees choose the length of appointment they need; 15—or 30-minute appointments are usually available, and some face-to-face consultations can last up to an hour. Longer appointments give your employees more time to discuss issues, and the private GP can take their medical history and offer comprehensive advice.

Reduced absenteeism

Reducing absenteeism has obvious business benefits. You'll spend less on hiring temporary staff to replace an absent employee and reduce the stress on other team members who must pick up their colleague's work while they're away. Private GP services offer 24/7 appointments, so your staff can seek medical advice outside working hours rather than taking time off to see their NHS GP, who'll usually only offer appointments during office hours.

Reducing sickness absence also helps your employees. Taking time off work and being out of their usual routine can be stressful, especially if they're only off because they're waiting to speak to their GP.

Less stress

Having quick access to a private GP can reassure your employees, provide self-care advice, or make a quick referral for further investigation. It means your employees spend less time worrying about what might be wrong, reducing their stress overall.

Online and telephone consultations are available 24/7, meaning your team can seek advice in the middle of the night if a health issue is keeping them awake. An added bonus is that your employees can stay in the house for an appointment. If they feel unwell and would rather stay in their pyjamas, they can speak to a doctor from the comfort of home.

Access to prescriptions and referrals

Private GPs can issue prescriptions and provide referrals in most cases. If you provide employee health insurance as a benefit, your chosen provider will have rules about referral routes, so it's worth checking those and ensuring your employees understand them.

Private GP services can refer patients to the NHS, which can speed up the referral process if your employees don't have health insurance or would prefer to be referred to the NHS. This includes referrals for diagnostic tests and scans.

A quicker diagnosis

A quick diagnosis can set your employees' minds at rest or ensure they access prompt treatment. Some conditions, including many forms of cancer, have better treatment outcomes if diagnosed early.

Providing quick access to a private GP can lead to a faster diagnosis. Most health insurance policies include some out-patient coverage, even with a basic policy. This could cover minor surgical procedures, diagnostic tests, and scans with a consultant appointment, but not usually both.

A wider range of treatments

Private healthcare providers invest heavily in new, cutting-edge treatments and drugs. Some medications and treatments licensed for use in the UK have yet to be available on the NHS.

By contrast, private GP services can often recommend or prescribe a broader range of treatments and drugs during consultations. Further treatment will depend on what's available via the NHS or what your health insurance covers, but a private GP consultation can offer more treatment options in the first instance.

Better employee morale

Providing your employees access to private healthcare is a valuable benefit which can help your business recruit top talent and improve employee retention.

Providing employees access to a private GP service also demonstrates that you care about their health and well-being. It's great for employee engagement and supports good mental health among your workforce, which is great for individual employees and collective employee morale.

Private GP services are excellent for one-off health issues that your doctor can resolve quickly with advice, a prescription or an onward referral.

However, they may be less suitable for employees with complex health needs. Private health insurance doesn't cover chronic illnesses as they require long-term care and monitoring. However, a private GP appointment can still be useful if a patient has a flare-up, needs a prescription quickly, and can't get an appointment with their usual GP. Private GPs may not have access to NHS records, so if an employee has a complicated history, they'll need to consider whether the appointment offered is long enough to cover everything.

Depending on your chosen GP service, online video consultation or telephone appointments are usually available. Many private healthcare providers also offer face-to-face appointments.

The process and appointment availability vary depending on whether you choose a standalone service with an independent provider or have employee health insurance. Health insurers also differ in their booking processes, so it's worth considering which option will suit your employees best.

Independent provider

Independent service providers vary from small private clinics to GP services offered by large private healthcare companies.

Most providers offer online bookings, while some also have a telephone number to call to book an appointment. Some online booking systems let employees choose and book their appointments immediately. Others provide an enquiry form where employees complete their details; someone will respond by email or phone to arrange the booking.

Health insurance

Every health insurance company offers GP services, usually as a virtual service. Providers vary in how employees access appointments and the coverage they offer.

Virtual GP services

Virtual GP services provide 24/7 appointments online or by telephone. There are typically three options for booking appointments:

• Online booking via a member portal
• Booking via an app
• Telephone booking

Some providers offer a choice, while others only provide one method. Some online and app-based systems let employees enter details of their symptoms and request a callback. Other sites have digital calendars so your staff can select their preferred appointment time.

Face-to-face appointments

The process for booking a face-to-face appointment is similar to that for online appointments, depending on your chosen insurance company. However, most policies limit the number of in-person appointments employees can access annually. By contrast, virtual appointments are usually unlimited.

It's a good idea to check the small print on your policy and ensure staff are aware of the terms and conditions. That way, they can use these appointments when a face-to-face consultation is a priority and use the online services at other times.

As you might expect, face-to-face appointments aren't available 24/7 and have specific opening hours. They're typically open later than an NHS service and are often available on weekends, so they still offer good flexibility.

A 30-minute appointment on a weekday typically costs between £75 and £110, depending on your service provider and whether you want an online or in-person consultation. If you buy health insurance, it will include virtual consultations and some face-to-face appointments as part of your premium, so the cost depends on several factors, including your chosen policy coverage.

While you can cover appointment costs via your health insurance, your employees must pay prescription costs if necessary, so it's vital they're aware of this. While NHS prescriptions are fixed at £9.65 per item, the cost of a private prescription varies depending on the medication and any dispensing fee your local pharmacy charges.

The right health insurance lets you support your team's health and well-being. At Globacare, we help you find the right policy for your business with advice tailored to your needs and budget. Contact us today for a comparison quote.

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