Virtual GP services can help reduce the impact of NHS delays on your workforce, offering fast, 24/7 access to healthcare for employees. This guide explains how HR teams can choose the best service to improve employee wellbeing and productivity.
Key Takeaways:
- What Virtual GP Services Offer: Online consultations, digital prescriptions, and specialist referrals, often with same-day appointments.
- Why It Matters: Quick access to care reduces sick leave and boosts employee satisfaction.
- How to Compare Providers: Look for 24/7 availability, GMC-registered doctors, and ease of use.
- Implementation Steps: Understand employee needs, evaluate providers, and plan a smooth rollout with clear communication.
- Tracking Success: Measure usage, satisfaction, and ROI to ensure long-term benefits.
By selecting the right virtual GP service, HR teams can provide accessible healthcare that supports both employees and organisational goals.
Virtual GP Services Explained
Core Service Features
Virtual GP services allow employees to access medical care anytime, day or night, via digital platforms. These services connect users with General Medical Council (GMC)-registered doctors who are licensed and ready to assist [1]. Key features often include:
- Online consultations for convenient medical advice
- Digital prescriptions for quick access to necessary medications
- Specialist referral letters when further care is required
This immediate access to healthcare helps employees address medical concerns without major disruptions to their work schedules. Let’s explore how these features translate into workplace advantages.
Impact on Work and Health
Virtual GP services bring clear benefits to both employers and employees by offering fast and flexible healthcare access. This approach supports organisational wellbeing and helps maintain a healthy, productive workforce [2].
Some of the main workplace advantages are:
- Quick medical advice to prevent minor issues from becoming serious
- Flexible appointments that reduce the need for time off work
- Improved employee satisfaction through accessible healthcare
- 24/7 support for urgent health concerns
As more organisations recognise the connection between accessible healthcare and workplace performance, integrating virtual GP services into employee benefits has become a priority. These services can ease the strain of managing health-related absences and ensure employees receive timely care.
HR teams should carefully evaluate providers to ensure the chosen service fits both the organisation’s health strategy and employees’ needs. A well-matched virtual GP service can make a real difference in supporting employee wellbeing and productivity.
What to Check When Comparing Providers
Service Access and Usability
Look for providers that offer 24/7 access to ensure employees can get care whenever they need it. For instance, Teladoc provides round-the-clock remote GP appointments, same-day digital consultations, and supports over three million patients across the UK [3]. Along with easy access, check that providers comply with regulatory standards to ensure quality care for employees.
Medical Standards and Safety
Confirm that providers have accreditations such as CQC, British Assessment Bureau, and GMC. These certifications ensure high medical standards. Teladoc, for example, holds all these accreditations and is managed by experienced clinicians and certified practitioners [3].
Online consultations platforms compared
Steps for HR Teams
After choosing a provider, follow these steps to roll out the service effectively.
Understand Employee Needs
A 2022 CIPD survey revealed that 70% of HR professionals see health and wellbeing as a priority for senior leadership [4]. To address this, gather insights from employees using surveys, focus groups, and one-on-one meetings with department heads. This will help pinpoint specific health needs and preferences.
Assess and Select Services
Create a framework to evaluate different services based on the needs you've identified. Platforms like Perkwise allow you to combine a virtual GP service with other employee benefits, all accessible through web and mobile.
Launch and Train Employees
Introduce the service with clear communication and ensure employees know how to use it. Here's how:
- Before Launch
Design materials like infographics, posters, and guides to explain how the service works. Set up communication channels, such as instant messaging or newsletters, to share updates. - During Implementation
Include the service in onboarding sessions. Show new hires how to use it and answer any questions they might have. - Ongoing Engagement
Encourage managers to try the service and share their experiences. Check in with employees who haven't used it in their first month. Share success stories to highlight the service's benefits.
Track Results and Updates
Once your virtual GP service is up and running, it's important to monitor its performance and demonstrate its return on investment (ROI).
Monitor Usage and Gather Feedback
Keep an eye on how the service is being used and what employees think about it. Schedule quarterly reviews through your benefits platform to track key metrics like:
- Adoption rates: See how many employees are signing up and using the service.
- Attendance patterns: Compare sick leave data from before and after the service was introduced.
- Employee satisfaction: Collect feedback through regular surveys.
Pair these metrics with stories and observations from onboarding sessions and manager check-ins. This combined data can help fine-tune your approach. For a more streamlined process, use Perkwise's built-in analytics during your reviews to measure these metrics and present them to stakeholders.
Schedule Regular Service Reviews
Align your review schedule - whether quarterly or annually - with your organisation’s planning cycle. During these reviews, focus on:
- Usage trends, satisfaction survey results, and cost-effectiveness.
Document everything and share your findings with stakeholders. This data will not only help with contract negotiations during renewals but also guide adjustments to better meet your workforce’s changing health needs.
Selecting the right virtual GP service improves healthcare access and supports employee wellbeing. Look for features like 24/7 availability, GMC-registered clinicians, easy integration with employee benefits, and consistent performance checks.
Follow the outlined steps to evaluate providers, gain leadership support, and roll out your chosen solution. With this approach, HR teams can introduce a virtual GP service that benefits both the organisation and its employees.