As a leading private occupational health provider in London, Fleet St. Clinic is pleased to see the recent developments in UK Government policies regarding occupational health services.  

The latest Budget announcement in March 2023 included the launch of a new occupational health subsidy pilot program with tax incentives proposal. This government program is aimed at supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in England with the cost of purchasing occupational health services to improve the health and wellbeing of their employees. This is part of the government’s focus on improving employee health and wellbeing and reducing absenteeism. 

The proposed tax incentives for businesses that invest in occupational health services are a welcome development. As many London-based businesses are struggling with the ongoing challenges of the pandemic, it’s important to recognise the importance of maintaining the health and wellbeing of the workforce. This program will incentivise businesses to prioritise employee health, which will have positive impacts for both the employee and the business as a whole. 

Employer-led occupational health services can reduce health-related inactivity by identifying, monitoring and preventing health problems in the workplace, supporting employees to remain healthy and happy in work. Around half of UK employees currently have access to occupational health services, which is lower than some international comparators. 

In addition to the proposed tax incentives, there have been calls to make occupational health services tax-exempt. This would further encourage London-based businesses to invest in occupational health services from providers such as us, Fleet St. Clinic, and support the growth of businesses in the UK. It would also make it more accessible for businesses of all sizes to access these services to improve the health and wellbeing of their employees. 

The focus on occupational health has also been highlighted by the John Lewis Partnership, which has launched a new initiative called “Working Well” aimed at improving the mental health and wellbeing of its employees. This is a great example of a business taking proactive steps to support the health of its workforce, and it is encouraging to see more businesses in the UK following suit. 

It’s important to note that occupational health services from Fleet St. Clinic aren’t just about responding to workplace injuries and illnesses. They can also be proactive in preventing health issues from arising in the first place, such as through health screenings, workplace medicals, health promotion programs, and ergonomic assessments. These preventative measures sit alongside more formal methods of occupational health services such as management referrals and mandatory health surveillance. 

By investing in occupational health services in London, businesses can reduce absenteeism, increase productivity, and create a healthier and happier workforce. 

The recent announcement about plans to expand occupational health services and workforce is also a positive development for businesses in London. This will help to address the shortage of occupational health professionals and ensure that businesses can access the high-quality services they need from providers like Fleet St. Clinic to support the health and wellbeing of their employees. 

One potential barrier to accessing all occupational health services in the UK is the value-added tax (VAT) that is currently applied to some services that are seen as screening services rather than services that support the health and wellbeing of the employee. However, there have been further discussions about exempting all occupational health services from VAT, which would make them more affordable and accessible for businesses of all sizes. 

In conclusion, as a leading private occupational health provider in London, Fleet St. Clinic is pleased to see the recent developments in government policies and business initiatives regarding occupational health. The focus on supporting SMEs, tax incentives, and VAT exemptions will make it easier for London and England-based businesses to access the services they need to maintain the health and wellbeing of their workforce. It is important to remember the potential benefits of investing in occupational health services from providers such as Fleet St. Clinic, London and the positive impact they can have on both employees and businesses. 

If you’d like to start the conversation about how we could support your employee’s health, fill out the form below and we’ll propose suitable services for your consideration.

Related services available at Fleet Street Clinic 

Occupational Health Services 

Management Referrals 

Occupational Health Medicals 

Health Surveillance 

Ergonomics 

Onsite GP Clinic 

Continued reading about the new UK Government Occupation Health Budget Proposals: 

Tax exemptions for employer health related interventions 

Full: UK Spring Budget 2023 

Research & Analysis Report: Incentivising SME uptake of health and wellbeing support schemes 

5 excellent ways the Fleet St, Clinic’s occupational health services can benefit employee health and well being:

• Recruiting a new employee? Arrange a pre-placement assessment.
  Why?  The OH nurse or doctor can check whether the employee is fit to undertake the role.  If any health concerns are identified, s/he can make recommendations, where appropriate, to promote the employee’s well being and health at work.
• Staff reporting back problems?  Arrange an ergonomic assessment.
  Why?  It could be that your employee’s workplace arrangement is causing or contributing to the problem.  Our ergonomics consultant can assess their workplace in relation to the problem(s) reported/diagnosed and provide advice and recommendations on how to reduce symptoms.
• A staff member returning to work after illness?  Arrange a Fitness Assessment.
  Why? Employees and employers can benefit from advice and recommendations on how best for the employee to enter back into work to minimise risk of relapse and aid a successful and healthy return to work.
• Assigning one of your employees to a project abroad?  Arrange a pre-deployment medical.
  Why?  Depending on the assignment and location, working abroad can increase stresses on the individual and often with limited access to medical care.  A pre-deployment medical can assess whether the employee is fit to undertake the post, provide advice and recommendations to promote their health while away and advise on any travel precautions to prevent illness.

You can find out more about our occupational health services here.

Alternatively, fill out the form below and we’ll propose suitable services for your consideration.

These days, we tend to be a bit more health focused with our approach to life. For those of us that think we are healthy, just how fit are we really?

A Health MOT is the best way to get a full picture of your overall wellbeing, knowing your body and its’ crucial health numbers can be instrumental in preventing illness and disease.

What numbers do we need to know?

1. Body Mass Index (BMI) – We’ve heard this term over and over in the media but do you really know what it means? BMI is a simple index of weight-for-height that is commonly used to classify underweight, overweight and obesity in adults. It is your weight divided by the square of your height in meters.
2. Resting heart rate – Resting Heart Rate is an indicator of your basic fitness level and a strong predictor of cardiovascular health.
3. Waist to hip ratio – Spare body fat can often be stored around the tummy and the abdomen’s organs. Research has shown that this kind of fat has health consequences which can contribute to heart disease, obesity and diabetes.
4. Cholesterol – Did you know that over half of all UK adults have raised cholesterol and a cholesterol test is the only way you will know if you are affected? High cholesterol can lead to heart disease, a common killer in the UK.
5. Blood pressure – Having high blood pressure means that you are putting extra strain on your arteries and your heart. This strain can cause the arteries to clog up which can lead to a heart attack, stroke, kidney disease or dementia. All can be prevented with a quick simple test.
6. Blood sugars – Knowing your blood sugar levels can detect if you are diabetic or importantly if you are at risk of becoming diabetic. This is very important not only to monitor and effectively manage diabetes, but if it is type 2 adult onset that is caused by lifestyle, you may be able to make dietary changes to avoid medication and actually prevent the disease.
7. Bone density – Bone density testing is used to assess the strength of your bones. It can be used to identify if you are at risk of osteoporosis. The test, referred to as bone densitometry or bone mineral density scan (BMD), is a simple, non-invasive procedure that can be finished in just minutes.
8. Mammogram/prostate check – Depending on your age, your GP will advise whether to have one of these checks which can help detect early signs of tumours or cancerous cells.

If you want to find out your health numbers, you can book a full body medical or GP appointment online.