Public Sector Workers Encouraged To Take Out Private Healthcare
Public sector unions fight hard to secure the very best conditions for their members. This is both in terms of pay and working conditions and also additional benefits such as motor insurance and healthcare. Public sector workers are offered competitive healthcare policies by union recommended companies. These policies are widely advertised in union literature such as magazines, newsletters and in-house advertising. Certain companies advocated by unions and their reps are even allowed to visit various offices and perform recruitment drives and presentations.
This may come as some surprise to those who witnessed the public services trade unions backing the Labour Party’s prominent ‘I Love The NHS Campaign’.
Healthcare Advocates
Unison for example encourages members to join private healthcare schemes such as those provided by Medicash. Another leading union the Public Commercial Services Union (this includes departments such as the HMRC) encourages members to join private healthcare schemes provided by companies such as Benenden.
In both cases union members are provided with advice on the benefits of private healthcare and also offered competitive deals only available to civil servants. The benefits are tempting and a large number of public sector workers do take advantage of union-led private healthcare policies.
Benefits of Private Healthcare
There is no denying these private healthcare schemes do offer a number of benefits for public sector workers. They can access comprehensive policies for low prices that can cover them throughout their working lives. Also if they leave the civil service they can still continue their policies, usually at the same competitive costs.
Private healthcare policies can also include priority treatments and consultant appointments. This can save members from having to wait months for routine tests or to be referred to specialist departments within the NHS.
Effects on the NHS
The NHS provides an invaluable healthcare service but it is over burdened. Encouraging people who are currently in work to plan their own healthcare can help to relieve this burden. However some of these schemes involve healthcare that uses NHS resources. This is effectively ‘queue jumping’ as policies holders may be eligible for priority appointments within the NHS as a part of their cover. This could actually negatively affect waiting lists and make them longer for people without any kind of healthcare.
Get Covered For Your Healthcare
If you are concerned about the level of NHS healthcare available in your local area then you should take a leaf out of the public sectors book and think about private healthcare. Policies are available at affordable monthly prices and you can take out cover that can protect your family as well. You never know when you might need additional treatment or healthcare. A private medical insurance plan can provide you with effective access to the treatment you will need and also financial support.
Business Medical Insurance or Individual Medical Insurance
