Why the Lines Are Blurring Between NHS Healthcare and Health at Work
As demand for healthcare continues to rise—and workplace pressures increase—the boundary between what’s considered NHS care and employer-supported health is becoming less defined. How does this change the role of the employer, and what can be done to improve employee health and support the NHS?
Learn what we discussed in our recent webinar hosted by Qured and Holly Health, titled “Why the lines are starting to blur between NHS healthcare and health at work.” Qured’s COO and co-founder Lyz Swanton was delighted to host our Medical Director and NHS GP Dr. Kishan Vithlani, and Grace Gimson, CEO and co-founder of Holly Health. Together, they unpacked the shifting responsibilities between the NHS and employers—and explored what better, joined-up care could look like for the working population.
The full webinar is available to watch here.
The Health Crisis at Work—and What It Means for the NHS
Both NHS professionals and employers are seeing the same trend: people are getting sicker, earlier.
Chronic conditions like obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome are rising rapidly—especially among shift workers and high-stress professions, including healthcare workers themselves. Meanwhile, mental health issues are also on the rise and now represent the leading cause of long-term sickness absence in the UK.
63% of UK workers are showing signs of burnout, and 79% report moderate to high stress. Holly Health’s own data, drawn from over 20,000 users, echoes these findings—with almost half sleeping fewer than six hours a night and over 45% reporting high anxiety levels.
From the NHS side, Dr. Kish highlighted the growing backlog: more than 7.5 million people were waiting for procedures or appointments as of late 2024. And this doesn’t just affect patients—it impacts NHS workers, too. He noted the prevalence of presenteeism in clinical settings, where staff feel unable to take time off despite being unwell, further contributing to burnout.
A Role for Employers—Not Just the NHS
“Employers are increasingly stepping in—not to replace the NHS, but to support it.”
Workplace-based health interventions, such as Qured’s screening programmes, are proving powerful in detecting risk early and helping individuals take meaningful action. The results speak for themselves:
- 84% of participants make and sustain lifestyle changes
- 78% report noticeable improvements in their physical health
- 4% are referred for urgent or specialist follow-up, often flagging previously undiagnosed conditions
This proactive model doesn’t just benefit businesses. As Grace noted, reducing avoidable health deterioration alleviates pressure on NHS services and helps people stay healthy and employed longer—a shared win for public health, employers, and individuals alike.
Bridging Gaps Through Cultural Change and Collaboration
One of the strongest themes from the discussion was that tackling rising health issues requires more than just tools or tech—it requires a cultural shift.
Grace and Dr. Kish emphasised the importance of normalising conversations around health, supporting behaviour change holistically, and empowering team leaders across both clinical and corporate environments to prioritise wellbeing.
They also advocated for greater equity. Too often, health benefits are reserved for white-collar workers, leaving shift-based and lower-paid staff behind. As Lyz pointed out, building inclusive and accessible programmes is essential—especially given that these populations are often at the greatest risk.
Integrating with the NHS—Not Competing With It
During the live Q&A, audience members raised key questions around the practicalities of joining up care:
- “What should employers do when a serious condition is flagged, but NHS wait times are still long?”
Dr. Kish explained how Qured supports onward referrals directly to GPs, provides written reports to accelerate triage, and offers advice on navigating local care pathways more efficiently—sometimes finding faster access in less busy Trusts. - “Are workplace health programmes really reaching underserved populations?”
Grace and Dr. Kish agreed that employer-led initiatives are well-positioned to do so—particularly when health checks are delivered on-site and digitally accessible. These models remove barriers like scheduling, literacy, and stigma, and offer a blueprint for more equitable engagement.
Looking Ahead: Shared Responsibility for Health
As Grace put it, “We know things aren’t improving across the board—and in many cases, they’re getting worse. But we also know that small, meaningful changes in culture and access can make a big difference.”
Whether you’re a business leader, healthcare professional, or policymaker, the message was clear: sustainable health improvement requires joined-up thinking, shared responsibility, and early, accessible intervention.
At Qured, we believe employers and the NHS can be powerful allies—not competitors—in shaping the future of preventative health. And we're proud to be part of the movement helping to bridge that gap.