Our 2026 Wellbeing Trends report explores the trending health and wellbeing topics and what they mean for UK businesses in the coming year. The report uses data from sources including the Office for National Statistics, the NHS, Google search trends and our own wellbeing research to help you plan and prioritise your wellbeing support.
One theme that’s still on the rise is digital health, as individuals seek online services to improve their wellbeing and businesses continue develop their virtual offices. In this blog, we explore digital transformation in the NHS and how businesses can use tech to support their people.
The pandemic sparked a healthcare renaissance, forcing existing services to go digital and accelerating the adoption of telephone GP appointments, virtual fitness classes and online counselling. Now, in 2026:
- 33% of GP bookings are remote telephone appointments.
- 63,894,110 of people are registered with an NHS GP
- 60% increase in searches for online pharmacy UK compared to 2025
What is telehealth?
Telehealth refers to the incorporation of technology, digital information and communication technology into healthcare. This can include something as simple as computers, tablets and smartphones being used to arrange GPO appointments to digital apps that deliver test results and AI technology playing a role in health screening and diagnostic tests.
How has remote working changed telehealth
Almost 6 years since remote went mainstream, the practicalities of home and hybrid working continue to evolve. While some organisations strive to make their virtual office visions a reality, others are calling for an end to the work from home ‘experiment’ and demanding employees work on site full time.
The tech sector had been driving innovation in remote working, as leaders looked for creative solutions to help employees work together even when they’re apart. In recent months we’ve seen everything from coffee break Slack channels to virtual offices built in the Metaverse.
And despite calls for a return to the office, our recent research found that flexible working remains the most coveted employee benefit, suggesting that remote opportunities are as appealing as ever.
With labour shortages plaguing the UK job market and many high-profile employers continuing with a remote-first approach, employees are likely to vote with their feet to find the working style that suits them best.
After two years of digital overload, the tech bubble is starting to deflate. In its place emerges a pushback against ‘always on’ culture, as people look to log off and take a more relaxed approach.
- Google searches for the term ‘soft living’ saw a 250% year-on-year increase in 2025, with interest peaking in September.
- The Oxford English Dictionary revised their entry on stress, adding new definitions for stress reliever, stress disorder and stress bunny.
This need to disconnect found its way into our workplaces in the form of designated quiet hours, ‘no meeting’ days and the four-day working week. As we enter 2027, employers must monitor the impact of stress on their people with an awareness that online-only solutions might alienate those who are desperate to switch off.
To find out more about upcoming health and wellbeing trends for 2026, download our free Wellbeing Trends report. It explores emerging topics to give businesses insight into employee wellbeing and benefits trends in the coming months.
