The Business Exchange Bath & Somerset Issue 30: Winter 2023/24 | Page 14

BUSINESS NEWS

Bath doctors develop ‘ Netflix style ’ health subscription

Bath Clinic , part of the Circle Health Group , is offering a new subscription-based health service . For the cost of a coffee subscription , or access to your favourite streaming service , patients can access unlimited consultant and GP appointments , tests , checks , and scans . In a move that shakes up the traditional private medical insurance model that has dominated private healthcare for the last 80 years , this new service allows patients to access Bath Clinic services effectively and promptly .
Pioneered by consultants , alongside the staff , the new model named MyWay offers a third way through an affordable monthly subscription .
Mr Jonathan McFarlane , Consultant Urologist and Clinical Chair at Bath Clinic explained , “ From £ 19.99 a month patients will be able to get fast access to doctors , tests , and scans . We have brought together almost every part of the treatment process into one easy-to-use app .”
Private GP services have seen a significant increase in usage over the last 18 months . However , there is no service currently available that also gives access to specialist consultants and follow-up diagnostic tests and scans that a patient often needs to confirm a diagnosis or inform a treatment plan .
Should a user discover that surgery is the best option for them , membership of MyWay also offers discounts on hospital treatment and physiotherapy at Bath Clinic .
Mr McFarlane added , ” Think of the MyWay club like an insurance policy you have complete control over . For a small fee each month , you are guaranteed to get access to specialist care . We know that patients are becoming increasingly worried about waiting . With MyWay , you don ’ t have to worry because whatever you need is ready and waiting to be accessed .”
The MyWay service was developed in response to a growing demand for high-quality occupational health services that help get people back to work and prevent needless worry and workplace absence . Economic uncertainty means that businesses cannot afford to lose staff to illnesses that could easily be managed or treated using MyWay .
The latest ONS stats show that economic inactivity due to long-term sickness has surged to a record-breaking 2.5 million people , up by half a million since the pandemic ( 2019 ). Coupled with 7.42 million people currently waiting for treatment across the UK , a perfect storm has broken with potentially disastrous consequences for those eager to get back to work .
The low-cost monthly fee is designed to provide accessible healthcare as the cost of living rises . The sign-up process takes less than 60 seconds , and within 30 days the person can access the whole package of services available .
Paolo Pieri , Circle Health Group CEO , said , “ For little more than the monthly cost of Netflix or Prime , our revolutionary health subscription service promises the peace of mind that
you can see a specialist or get a scan rapidly if the need arises .
“ With long-term illness rates at record highs - for every 13 workers one person is long-term sick - the UK has a massive ‘ sick-force ’ problem , and we desperately need new healthcare solutions to tackle this productivity problem and turn around the economy . Subscription services have transformed many other parts of our lives , so one that guarantees speed , control , and consumer power in the area that matters most to all of us - our health - is a no-brainer .”
For more info : https :// bit . ly / 40Dz9xS
ADVERTISING FEATURE

NEW MATERNITY LAW CHANGES by Polly Rathbone-Ward , Director , Rathbone HR Solutions

Did you know that the law around redundancy and maternity is changing ?
The Protection from Redundancy ( Pregnancy and Family Leave ) Act 2023 will extend the current rules and provide greater protection to women and new parents against redundancy and give them priority status for redeployment opportunities in a redundancy situation . Moreover , the Act will help to ensure that employees do not suffer discrimination or career setbacks due to taking family leave , fostering a more inclusive and family-friendly environment .
New regulations are not expected to come into force before April 2024 .
In addition , supporting employees returning from family leave is essential for well-being and productivity and contributes to improved employee experience .
Here are some ways an employer can provide support ...
Based in Bath , Rathbone HR Solutions provides strategic and operational HR support for small and medium sized businesses .
Established by Polly Rathbone-Ward in 2018 , the firm is passionate about providing practical , professional HR services .
1 ) Maintain clear and regular communication with the employee during their leave and schedule a meeting prior to their return to discuss their return to work .
2 ) Offer a return-to-work plan to allow employees a gradual transition back to their full workload .
3 ) If applicable , offer private lactation rooms for nursing mothers returning from family leave .
4 ) Offer refresher training or onboarding to help the returning employee .
5 ) Consider flexible working arrangements that encourage work-life balance and promote a workplace culture that values the well-being of employees .
To find out more visit : www . rathbonehrsolutions . co . uk or email : polly @ rathbonehrsolutions . co . uk
8 www . tbebathandsomerset . co . uk