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British Heart Foundation Update

Jan 05, 2011

The team at BHF have been in touch again recently to let me know that over 800 organisations have signed up to their Health at Work Programme . They are making a big push for it in January to help employees get healthy in the New Year following the festivities.

Have a look at their website to see what they are up to and what use you can make of the free resources on offer. Here’s the press release in full:

Kick the January blues and get healthy at work in 2011

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) is urging workers everywhere to kick the January blues and get healthy at work in the New Year by joining the BHF’s Health at Work programme.

A recent survey revealed that 30 per cent of workers admit to eating more unhealthy snacks and treats during the working day and over a third (34%) say they tend to be less active at work than at home. The BHF Health at Work programme helps organisations everywhere, large and small, to set up their own health club at work, from arranging regular lunchtime walks to organising a company football team.

Lisa Purcell, Project Manager for the BHF’s Health at Work Programme said:

“It can be difficult to find the motivation to get fit and healthy during January when we are faced with cold weather and dark nights. Our survey revealed UK workers tend to exercise less or eat more unhealthily during the working day. This doesn’t have to be the case. Just going for a walk on your lunch break or clubbing together for a regular fruit bowl can make a real difference to your wellbeing. “

The programme, sponsored by Legal & General, has already signed up more than 800 organisations. Employees from bin men to bank tellers are joining the scheme and getting fit together. Lisa adds:

“For employers, the rewards are clear. Encouraging workers to eat healthy and exercise during the working day can improve productivity, reduce staff turnover, and result in fewer sick days. Why not challenge your employees to become a fitter, healthier workforce in 2011?”

Sign up for free and get all the advice and resources you need to start your own health club at work at bhf.org.uk/healthatwork.

ENDS

OFT to Investigate Private Healthcare Market

Dec 15, 2010

I don’t know whether this is down to Geoffrey Glazer at FIPO lobbying the House of Lords or as a result of Circle’s Ali Parsa’s complaints mentioned in a Shandwell post recently - could be a combination of both.

It’s been a long time coming, but its going to happen.

I think there will be some very interesting findings for employers.

Latest from Health Work and Wellbeing

Dec 14, 2010

Since the general election, the Health Work and Wellbeing (HWWB) team have been pretty quiet about their future plans and objectives. Remember it is made up of representation from DWP, DoH, HSE, Scottish Government and The Welsh Assembly. They have recently published a report outlining baseline indicators on health and wellbeing reflected in surveys of both employees and employers. I don’t know who they surveyed, but some of the responses indicate that their messages are not hitting home. (more…)

Circle to Build another Hospital

Dec 09, 2010

Having opened its new hospital in Bath earlier this year – and set up a challenge to existing private hospital relationships with private medical insurers - Ali Parsa’s Circle has secured £50m funding from the BP pension fund to build another facility in Reading. It’s due to open autumn 2012.

Circle intend to build 30 hospitals across the UK in the coming years which is pretty ambitious. They may have an advantage over older private hospital stock, in that each hospital can be designed to meet the challenges of increased support for the NHS and new clinical developments. Only time will tell.

Breast Screening Saves Lives

Dec 02, 2010

Further to my post that I am going to be doing some work with BreastHealth UK, only yesterday, the media ran a story quoting cancer specialists from The London Breast Institute. Their research has shown that 1,000 lives would be saved if women were offered annual mammograms from the age of 40 rather than 50 which is the current entry age for the NHS breast screening programme.

Only 2% of the 7,000 women in their 40s diagnosed with breast cancer every year were identified through screening. Of these 7,000, it is likely that 3,000 will die of the disease.

Dr Nick Perry, director of The London Breast Institute commented, ‘Regular screening is already proven to lower the chance of women dying from breast cancer. The results of our study support the importance of regular screening in the under-50 age group and confirm that annual mammography improves the chances of breast conservation should breast cancer develop.’

Click here for the full article.

Public Health White Paper

Dec 01, 2010

The Coalition’s White Paper ‘Healthy Lives, Healthy People’ was published yesterday. Whilst it makes reference to the role of employers and highlights their responsibility, there is nothing as yet that we haven’t heard before.

The government calls on employers to provide better training for managers, forge closer links with occupational health and, wait for it, set up mini competitions / challenges between staff in activities such as cycling. This is hardly the radical approach that they refer to in the beginning of the document.

I don’t know who they consulted with before publication, but I don’t think they realise the significant investment that many employers already make in the health of the working population, saving much of the public purse. What would really galvanise employers are tax/financial incentives that reward them for making further investment.

BreastHealth UK

Nov 29, 2010

I recently met with Troels Jordansen, the Danish MD of BreastHealth UK, and spent some time talking to him about their breastcheck and screening services which they have developed for the corporate market. Having learned how much more can be done to prevent or reduce the enormous financial and emotional costs of breast cancer, I now believe their services to be some of the most relevant and valuable health benefits available to employers and their employees. (more…)

House of Lords Debates PMI Issues

Nov 17, 2010

November has been a busy month for the House of Lords in respect of two Private Medical Insurance (PMI) issues that lobbyists have been successful in getting an airing. The first concerns a long running dispute between certain consultants and the two largest private medical insurers around the latter looking to implement fixed fee schedules on the former. The second relates to the impact that private medical insurers reimbursement policies have on cancer patients. Let’s look at each in turn and what relevance they have for employers. (more…)

AMII

Nov 04, 2010

I was recently invited by the the Association of Medical Insurance Intermediaries (AMII) to be a guest at their Annual General Meeting. From a relatively low profile since its inception in 1998, it has really built up a head of steam over the last few years and is now quite an influential body with the ear of most of the private medical insurers. In an industry that does not require any qualifications to sell advice, their drive to increase professionalism is welcome. (more…)

Free Health Checks from BMI Healthcare

Oct 27, 2010

BMI, the largest private hospital group in the UK has announced a year long programme of free mini health checks at workplaces and shopping centres. The health checks comprise tests for body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose – four important indicators for some of Britain’s most prevalent diseases.

Employers can email inspectyourhealth@bmihealthcare.co.uk if they would like to hold such an event at their workplace. At the moment, I can’t see any catch.

Early detection can save lives, so the investment BMI are making in this marketing opportunity should be welcomed.

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