Small and medium businesses in Portsmouth face tight labour markets and rising absence costs. Pairing basic occupational health with business health insurance improves recruitment; retention and productivity in Southsea; Cosham; Drayton and city-centre teams.
Why combine OH with PMI
- Faster diagnosis and treatment – fewer long absences for MSK or mental health
- Fit note guidance – graded return-to-work plans reduce relapses
- Recruitment edge – benefits package that stands out locally
What to include for SMEs
- Virtual GP for all staff – immediate access; simple onboarding
- Mental health – counselling; CBT; manager helpline
- Physio – direct access with set session bundles
- Outpatient diagnostics – MRI; ultrasound; X-ray for rapid triage
- Business travel add-on if teams visit the mainland regularly
Cost control without losing value
- Regional hospital list – Portsmouth; Havant; Southampton
- Annual excess per employee; not per claim
- 6 week NHS wait option for elective care
- Tiered cover – core for everyone; optional upgrades via salary sacrifice
Implementation tips
- Launch with a short webinar; show the claims app; explain excess
- Track absence trends; adapt benefits at renewal
- Offer partner/dependant access via self-pay to extend value
For a deeper dive on why health insurance improves retention, see How Employee Health Insurance Can Boost Productivity & Retention.