NHS delays impacting work for over half of employees

NHS waiting times or limited access to treatment have affected the ability of 53 per cent of employees to do their jobs in the last year.

This was according to a new study of 2,000 employees by Health Shield Friendly Society in its Britain at Work report.

A total of 43% said they self-treated due to a lack of access to healthcare while 55% said they had experienced difficulty getting an appointment with a doctor.

The statistics paint a concerning picture of how employees are impacted due to the pressures faced by the NHS.

The findings also revealed:

• More than 1 in 5 employees (22%) said NHS waiting times or access to treatment significantly affected their ability to work in the last year.
• 48% have experienced delays in follow up care after a referral from a doctor.
• 35% say they have suffered due to lack of access to healthcare, rising to 42% amongst 18-27 year olds.
• 44% have self-treated due to lack of access to healthcare – rising to 49% amongst 18-27 year olds).

Younger workers were significantly more likely to report missing work because they could not access healthcare. Nearly two in five (39%) workers aged 28–35 said they had taken time off work for this reason, closely followed by 38% of 18–27-year-olds and 37% of those aged 36–44.

The figure fell sharply among older age groups, dropping to 24% of 45–51-year-olds and 21% of 52–59-year-olds, while just 12% of over-60s reported the same issue. The findings suggest younger generations of workers are feeling the strain of pressures on the NHS more acutely than older colleagues.

Paul Shires, director at Health Shield said: “Access to timely healthcare is now a workforce issue as much as a healthcare issue. When more than half of employees say NHS delays are affecting their ability to work, businesses cannot afford to ignore the impact on productivity, absence and engagement.

“What is particularly concerning is the effect this is having on younger workers, who are more likely to self-treat, miss work or struggle on without support because they cannot access care when they need it. Small health issues can quickly become more serious when treatment is delayed.

“Employers are increasingly recognising they have a role to play in helping bridge this gap through faster access to support, preventative healthcare and practical wellbeing benefits.”

Perry Timms, an HR influencer who is founder and chief energy officer of PTHR, added: “These findings show workplace wellbeing pressures are becoming embedded in the everyday experience of work.

“The hidden cost for employers is diminished capacity, with many employees continuing to work while struggling physically or mentally without timely support.

“Employers who respond proactively will be in a much stronger position to protect productivity, retain talent and build workforce resilience.”

Emily Jones, head of workplace wellbeing at Broadstone Financial Solutions Limited, said: “From an intermediary perspective, this reflects what we’re seeing across our clients. NHS pressure is now a business risk, impacting productivity and absence.

“Employers can’t rely on public provision alone. Access to faster care and preventative support is becoming essential, not optional.

“Our role as an intermediary is to help employers design practical, cost-effective benefits that improve access and complement the NHS. Those taking a proactive approach will be best placed to protect workforce health and performance.”

The full Britain at Work Report will be revealed in June.

For more information visit: www.healthshield.co.uk/britainatwork

Ends

Editors notes

The research was conducted by Censuswide on behalf of Health Shield Friendly Society across 2,002 UK employees between 27 March and 1 April, 2026.

Censuswide is a member of the Market Research Society (MRS) and the British Polling Council (BPC). It is a signatory of the Global Data Quality Pledge and adheres to the MRS Code of Conduct and ESOMAR principles.

About Health Shield Friendly Society

Health Shield is an award-winning friendly society, dedicated to helping businesses stay in the best of health by providing employee health benefits. Founded in 1877 to support the health of railway workers, today the not-for-profit mutual provides employee health benefits to businesses across the UK, covering more than 500,000 people. Its award-winning product offering includes health cash plans and health screening services designed for prevention and early intervention.

For more information visit: https://www.healthshield.co.uk/