Four in ten UK people (42%) have accessed private healthcare in the past 12 months, and over 500,000 have gone abroad for treatment. This surge in private healthcare comes as a result of the rising NHS wait lists, with 7.4 million people currently waiting for NHS hospital treatment. It’s no surprise that private healthcare is one of the biggest wellbeing trends for 2026.
Private healthcare can provide quicker diagnoses and treatments, reducing the risk of conditions worsening. It’s a popular workplace benefits, however, access remains inconsistent for UK employers, and self-pay options often pose significant financial challenges. With employees increasingly seeing private healthcare as a necessity for getting treatment for peace of mind or preventative care, it raises the question of whether workplaces could be the missing link to create happier, healthier employees.
Job hugging is on the rise as we enter 2026
Job vacancies have fallen to their lowest level in five years after a steady three-year decline. According to YouGov, 55% of workers now rank job security as their top priority, choosing to pause career ambitions until they see signs of a stronger labour market and renewed business confidence.
With economic uncertainty driving a trend of ‘job hugging’, employees are staying in their current roles longer for the sake of stability. In this environment, benefits like private healthcare become a powerful retention tool for reducing presenteeism and building support within businesses. When workers feel their health and wellbeing are supported, they’re less likely to risk moving to a new role without similar perks. For employers, offering comprehensive healthcare options isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s a strategic way to keep talent engaged and loyal.
Healthier employees = happier employees
With NHS waiting times continuing to rise, more companies are turning to private healthcare, mental health resources, and health cash plans to stand out. These perks are becoming vital for reducing burnout, boosting productivity, and building healthier, more engaged teams.
As more people turn to private healthcare, employers have a growing chance to leverage workplace benefits as a powerful way to retain talent and promote wellbeing. Employees with high levels of wellbeing experience 50% fewer absences and are two-thirds less likely to exhibit presenteeism compared to those with low wellbeing. With financial worries continuing to rank as the leading cause of anxiety in the past year, employees who are in need of private healthcare may be unable to afford it — meaning additional workplace healthcare services could be the missing link in creating a happier, healthier workforce.
Actionable steps for employers
Wellbeing is a long-term commitment, not a quick fix. To support your people, businesses need to go beyond surface-level perks and build strategies that make health and wellbeing part of everyday life. Here’s where to start:
- Embed wellbeing into company culture
Move beyond reactive measures and make health and wellbeing a core part of your values and everyday practices. Our free wellbeing strategy e-book can help. - Take ownership of employee health
Position leadership as champions of wellbeing, ensuring initiatives are visible and supported from the top. - Offer early intervention options
Provide proactive resources such as health screenings, mental health check-ins, and lifestyle support to prevent long-term issues. Combining preventative benefits with private health insurance can help make sure your people are supported for everyday healthcare and when they need hospital treatment. - Use data and feedback to shape benefits
Collect insights from employees to design packages that reflect diverse demographics, life stages, and priorities.Our Wellbeing Strategy Course is a great place to start. It’s important for employers to regularly reassess their benefits package to ensure it’s as supportive as possible. This will help build strategies that drive engagement, loyalty, and long-term job satisfaction.
More from Wellbeing Trends 2026
Our Wellbeing Trends 2026 report highlights five key themes shaping the year ahead.
Drawing on NHS insights, search trends, consumer behaviour and Westfield Health’s own research, the report gives businesses an early advantage in tackling the issues that matter most to their people now and in the months to come.
