Tesco has just announced that it is to add a link on its benefits website to the free NHS MidLife health check,aimed at getting their middle aged staff to think about their health and how to improve it; it is being supported by a promotional programme over the next three months. Having had a look at it, it’s quite similar to a number of low- tech commercial online health check services who must be disappointed that such a big potential client has decided to promote something from the NHS. The question is, what will Tesco, their employees and the NHS all get out of it?
Well, Tesco will not be able to use it as a benchmark for the health of its mid-lifers because the service is totally anonymous and there is no way of telling whether any Tesco employee has actually used it. It has no measurement properties other than each individual being able to keep a private record. It is not an effective business tool.
However, bringing it to the attention of the many thousands of employees in this age group must have some positive effect and if it is free, does it matter if this can’t be quantified?
I’m sure that some if not all employees will welcome the link and see it as part of Tesco’s commitment to helping them look after themselves, although putting it on a benefits website may make some think it’s part of their reward package, which clearly it isn’t.
It’s a major boost for the NHS to have such a high profile user which will be a catalyst for others to follow. It’s also encouraging to see a major private sector organisation support a public sector initiative. In addition, the NHS will be able to measure the number of people – not just Tesco employees – using the service and what progress they are making in improving their health. Whether this is useful information on which to help base future public health decisions is open to debate.
Some commentators – including disappointed private online health check providers – may say that with the billions of profit that Tesco make each year, they could afford to spend money on more sophisticated intiatives that would give them a measurable return. But without knowing where this fits in the Tesco overall health and wellbeing strategy, such an observation is unfounded.
I think there’s a place for the NHS MidLifeCheck as a reference point and source of information. If it really does engage people to plan health improvements and monitor their progress then that’s no bad thing. It doesn’t look as though it should have cost much to put together. Maybe there’s scope for further public sector funding for development and greater application.