Health Shield Breeze
Health Shield has announced a new strategic approach. This will focus on providing preventative preventative workplace health and wellbeing solutions for organisations of all sizes, but with a specific focus on helping SMEs. The move is part of a brand evolution and digital transformation being introduced from January 2020.
A key element is Breeze, a digital platform available direct to employers and through intermediaries. Breeze brings together Health Shield’s physical, emotional and financial health and wellbeing services.
Breeze aims to encourage employee self-care and employees can access the services from any digital device. They can book and manage appointments, access health information and assessments and receive discounts from big-name brands. The platform is designed to be simple for employers to manage and includes: automated onboarding; anonymous reporting on usage; easy to add and remove benefits, and tiered levels of benefits for managers and staff if required.
The range of services and information employees can access includes:
• GP Anytime – direct line to a doctor via phone or video chat.
• On-demand physio – consultations via phone or video chat.
• Health assessments – online health and lifestyle analysis.
• Wellbeing App – access to Thrive, a wellbeing app that meets NHS standards.
• 24/7 counselling.
• Cancer screening.
• Stress-related absence support.
• Home assistance – practical help following hospital treatment.
• PERKS Reward Scheme – deals and discounts from a range of brands
• Information and guides on all aspects of health and wellbeing topics.
Health Shield says it is further developing its OH capability to offer affordable services for SMEs. This will provide occupational health risk surveillance assessments, an online support service and OH management referrals.
Comment: Employers are being encouraged by the Government to take a more proactive approach to absence management and Health Shield’s new strategy ties in well with that.
Breeze is not a replacement for a health cash plan, but offers a platform to supplement traditional HCP benefits, taking the practical benefits to a new level. The strategy also has the potential to adapt and grow, so this should be seen as just the start of the new approach.
For many years, HCPs have struggled to remain relevant for many firms and individuals but initiatives such as this have the potential to help change that, along with how the sector is viewed.
Plus points: A new digital platform; Offering help and management; Signifies a new strategic approach from Health Shield.
Not so plus points: Not available until January 2020.
Website: http://www.healthshield.co.uk.
Rating (max 10): Overall: 8. Gold
Tags: HCP; Health Shield