Simplyhealth is now offering Phio, an award winning digital physiotherapy solution from EQL, to its Health Plan customers, to provide on-demand support for those with MSK injuries (joints, bones and muscle injuries). Health Plan customers can now access an end-to-end musculoskeletal (MSK) treatment journey – with the entire physiotherapy clinical pathway, from assessment to rehabilitation – including access to discounted in-person physiotherapy sessions with Ascenti.
MSK injuries are the second most common cause of long-term absence from work in the UK, according to data from the CIPD and Simplyhealth’s 2023 Health and Wellbeing at Work report, with ONS data also showing an increase in people experiencing back or neck pain (up to 2.9 million in 2023 from 2.6 million in 2019).
BETTER REHAB OUTCOMES
NHS support is currently unable to meet demand-there are over 300,000 patients on a wait list for NHS community musculoskeletal (MSK) services. There is an urgent need for alternative pathways to care and treatment. By providing people with convenient access to the right source of MSK care, employers can support their teams to recover from injury quickly and without undue stress, so they can return to their normal lives and work.
Simplyhealth’s Health Plan for businesses can be tailored to meet the specific needs of any workforce and is available for under £5 per employee, per month, making it more accessible and easy to offer whole workforce cover. Individuals can access the service as part of Simplyhealth’s 1-2-3 Health Plan from just £20 a month.
Phio’s product suite is available to users via the Simplyhealth app or portal. The Phio-Access triage tool pairs qualified physiotherapists with clinically-developed decision trees to navigate over 3000 scenarios and match users with the most appropriate clinical support (including face-to-face physiotherapy appointments).
Meanwhile, the Phio-Engage digital rehabilitation app offers personalised MSK injury self-management support, also under physiotherapist supervision, to those who are looking for an assistant to traditional physiotherapy. The exercise programmes are designed to improve strength, flexibility, and mobility, with the range of movements becoming more advanced as the body adapts and strengthens.
Previous Simplyhealth research found a total of 8 million sick days have been taken as a result of workers experiencing back pain. However, a fifth of working Brits (20%) say that access to a physio via their employer would increase their happiness and productivity (17%).
Bryony Rhodes-Wort, Clinical Product Executive at Simplyhealth, said: “We know the current pressure on the NHS means that patients are facing delays for MSK services – from consultation through to treatment.
“With around three-in-10 working Brits reporting back and muscle pain, employers have a responsibility to protect the MSK health of their workforce, which is exactly why we’re proud to build our pathway further through our partnership with Phio. By addressing muscle and joint pain quickly and effectively, employers will help staff avoid things getting worse. In providing access to comprehensive assessments, we can ensure that people are directed to the right source of care and return to work in full health more quickly.”
Simplyhealth’s recent research also found that a third (33%) of people reported their physical health problems had a negative impact on their mental health at work, suggesting the service could benefit workplace health more holistically too.
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