“If you’re looking for something that’s a bit more than a cash plan, but without the cost of a private medical plan, we’ve found Equipsme a great value option.”
International boarding college UWC Atlantic, based in South Wales, were looking for a way to support staff health and wellbeing. They were introduced to Equipsme by Mercer Marsh Benefits.
Megan Newman, from UWC’s People and Culture team explains: “We were looking to improve our benefits package, and health and wellbeing was one of our priorities.
“For us, Equipsme was an affordable option we could extend to all of our permanent staff. It meant we could get cover for around 140 people, including virtual GP and physiotherapy services, as well as Equipsme’s Stress Support EAP and Dental & Optical plan, too.”
The college employs a huge range of people, from teachers and counsellors to grounds maintenance and housekeeping staff, as well as back-office teams running UWC Atlantic’s People and Culture, Finance and Fundraising functions.
Megan continues: “We have a lot of international staff who are used to insurance systems - and used to having healthcare as part of an employment package. When they arrive, a lot of them can find it quite challenging adjusting to the NHS system.
GP access
“For instance, in our area it can be particularly difficult to get an NHS GP appointment. The phone lines or online booking forms are only open at certain times, you can’t book for the same day - and you can be waiting weeks to actually see someone.
“Many of our staff are in roles where they can’t pick up the phone to take a triage call, for instance if they’re in a classroom. We’re also quite remote, so not only is the phone signal rubbish, but a good proportion of our staff live on campus and don’t drive. So there’s all of these barriers which make having an 24/7 online GP service particularly valuable.
“I’ve used the service myself, and found it really useful when I injured my knee at the gym. Making the appointment through the Equipsme app was really easy, and the GP spent some proper time with me understanding what I’d done, and giving me some initial advice. He ended up referring me to see a physiotherapist.
“I took the referral letter to AXA Health, and they arranged for me to see someone local. A few sessions later and I was back at the gym again – certainly much quicker than if I’d have had to wait for the NHS to help me.
“From my perspective that means Equipsme is doing the job we wanted it to do. So far we’ve had nothing but positive feedback, and we’re very happy with how all the benefits are being used. Staff are appreciative of the benefit - and it is something we using to promote and attract new staff too.
Good value
“Colleagues who have used the Stress Support EAP service have actually been able to access face-to-face counselling. Meanwhile, the Dental & Optical services have proven particularly popular, because they really do make a big difference to the affordability of things like glasses and dental care. I had my own scale and polish done just the other day!
“As an education charity, we don’t have an endless budget, but we do think that making sure our people are able to look after themselves and access health care when they need it is a priority. Equipsme has allowed us to do that, and really show our people how much we value them and their wellbeing.
“Working with Equipsme has been incredibly easy right from the beginning. They’re really responsive, and really quick to process things like people leaving or coming onto the plan. If you’re looking for something that’s a bit more than a cash plan, but without the cost of a private medical plan, we’ve found Equipsme a great value option.”
