"Because every service is tied to a clear need, employers can see where their investment makes the biggest difference for their workforce."
- Paul Shires - Health Shield
Health Shield has launched five new services, organised around five workforce health pathways: primary care, MSK care, cancer and early detection, mental health and cardio care.
The new services form part of Health Shield’s workforce health plan, which aims to support businesses of 100+ employees to prevent ill health.
The services include a pathway navigator, virtual physiotherapy, cancer risk assessment and at-home testing, neurodiversity advice and support and Fibricheck.
For the primary care pathway, the pathway navigator features nurse-led support to help employees understand what happens after a referral, how the system works, what their options are and how to navigate NHS and private options with assistance.
For the MSK care pathway, virtual physiotherapy aims to provide faster access to musculoskeletal care, with personalised support throughout the journey from assessment to recovery.
Employees can speak to a qualified chartered physiotherapist on a telephone or video call within two working days and secure a clinical assessment and a personalised rehabilitation plan to help them recover sooner.
Within the cancer and early detection pathway, cancer risk assessment is designed to give employees a personalised view of their risk across six common cancers, with guidance on NHS screening and next steps.
Where included, people can also access at-home tests, with clinical support if further attention is needed. If a test delivers an abnormal result, a cancer nurse specialist will provide guidance and next steps for the individual.
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Supporting the mental health pathway, the neurodiversity advice and support service uses digital assessments to help people understand their needs and access practical tools, as well as cognitive behavioural therapy-based techniques.
Users also receive guidance on relevant next steps, including NHS pathways and specialist support, and the service also delivers self-funded ADHD and autism diagnostic assessments where clinically appropriate.
For the cardio care pathway, Fibricheck, a clinically validated smartphone app, means employees can check their heart rhythm wherever they are, helping to identify potential irregularities earlier and take next steps when further support may be needed.
"Too many health cash plans compete on ever-longer lists of features," Paul Shires, director at Health Shield Friendly Society, said.
"Purpose-led design gives every benefit and service in our plan a clear job to do, informed by NHS clinical priorities, and each new service complements at least one of our pathways.
"They help people spot health problems before they grow and result in faster access to the right support when it’s needed most. The services also deliver clear next steps to ensure employees know how to manage any health concerns.
"Because every service is tied to a clear need, employers can see where their investment makes the biggest difference for their workforce. This support comes at a crunch time for businesses as NHS waiting lists cause delays and young people entering the workforce are already struggling with mental health."
