Nearly two thirds (62 percent) of UK employees find it difficult to book a doctor’s appointment and a substantial proportion have self-treated as a result, according to research from Health Shield Friendly Society.
The survey of 975 working adults revealed that more than half (54 percent) of employees also find it hard to schedule an NHS dentist appointment.
A large proportion of the respondents (81 percent) told researchers they are worried about pressure on the NHS, and within this group this 21 percent are very worried.
The findings have been published in the provider’s Britain At Work Report, which reveals widespread problems accessing NHS care.
Further results show that 53 percent of women report difficulty accessing healthcare.
Self treatment trend
Across all respondents, 47 percent said they have self-treated. This rises to 59 percent for women. Among employees that needed dental care, 47 percent said they found it difficult to pay for it.
Overall, two fifths (41 percent) reported that they have suffered because of the lack of access to healthcare.
“These stark figures show that access to NHS services has become a struggle for many employees, with delays often forcing individuals to manage their health independently,” said Paul Shires, director at Health Shield.
“It’s not clear exactly how people are self-treating. For some it may simply be a visit to the pharmacist or choosing an over-the-counter solution. For others it may be a bigger concern, but it’s a trend that should be watched closely.
“Overall, these results reveal not just a national issue but a workplace challenge, as employee anxiety about healthcare access can impact both morale and performance.
“Although anxiety about the NHS has slightly decreased from 88 percent in 2023 in our last report to 81 percent now, the figures remain high.”
A lack of access to NHS care, and the subsequent worry about that, was found to affect some groups more than others, with women suffering more than men in most categories.
The survey showed that 84 percent of women are worried about NHS pressures compared to 77 percent of men. Almost a quarter (24 percent) of women are very worried, compared to 18 percent of men.
Two thirds (66 percent) of female workers report that it is difficult to get a doctor’s appointment compared to 58 percent of men.
Close to one in six (59 percent) working women said they are self-treating due to a lack of access to healthcare compared to 39 percent of men.
Among employees trying to get an NHS dentist appointment, 61 percent of female employees said it was hard compared to 48 percent of men.
Millennial employees (born between 1981 and 1996) were most likely to struggle to book a GP appointment (65 percent). This age group was also most likely to turn to self-treatment (49 percent), and suffer due to lack of healthcare (49 percent).
Shires added: “This should be a wake-up call for employers that their people across all age groups are struggling with access to healthcare – and that is going to impact the workplace.
“The Britain At Work Report also showed that employees took seven days off last year due to health-related issues. Of those, 47 percent were due to general ill health and 29 percent linked to mental health challenges such as stress or anxiety. It’s an issue that cannot be ignored.”
Perry Timms, an HR influencer who is founder and chief energy officer of PTHR, said: “Access to healthcare is no longer just a public issue – it’s a workplace imperative. This report outlines the challenges employees face navigating delayed care and the widening gender and generational disparities.
“The call to action is clear: employers must lead with empathy, act with evidence, and build new practices that prioritise health as a strategic asset. The future of work is one where wellbeing isn’t a bolt-on – it’s baked in.”
