Simplyhealth becomes first health plan provider to offer women’s health-focused GP option to tackle inequalities in healthcare
Simplyhealth is the first health plan provider to offer the choice to access women’s health-focused GPs when booking an appointment through its online GP service, at no extra cost. This addition to its range of quality-assured healthcare services provides more tailored support for people with women’s health concerns and ensures customers can access the right level of care with the best clinician for their needs.
Women’s health is often simplified as only sexual and reproductive health, but there is evidence that women* are affected by general health conditions disproportionately when compared to men.
Women spend a quarter (25%) more of their lives in debilitating health than men according to recent research1, and continue to be underdiagnosed and undertreated for common conditions including cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in women.
Women are also more likely to experience lower back pain – the most common reason for time off work in the UK, depressive disorders and headaches as major drivers of disability2. Additionally, four out of five women (84%)3, report not being listened to by healthcare professionals – with symptoms not taken seriously or dismissed upon first contact with GPs.
Simplyhealth is on a mission to improve access to healthcare for all in the UK, helping both individuals, and businesses to help keep their staff healthy and prevent sickness in the workplace by offering low-cost health solutions for the most common everyday health issues.
Providing women’s health-focused services can help keep people feeling work at well and prevent them from dropping out of the workforce due to their symptoms. For example, a study from Simplyhealth4 found almost a quarter (23%) of women have considered quitting work due to the impact of menopause or menstrual symptoms at work, and over one in ten (14%) are actively planning to quit.
The service builds on Simplyhealth’s offering for women’s health which already includes access to discounted preventative care services across mammograms for people aged 40yrs+ (10 years before the NHS), and at-home health test kits which measure 8 key female hormones to learn if they could be affecting weight, mood, or energy levels. This is in addition to providing 20% off selected clinically approved, sustainable women’s health and wellness products covering menstrual care, sexual wellness, fertility support, supplements and more. Simplyhealth will soon announce new partners expanding its Women’s Health Charity Alliance.
The women’s health-focused GP services provided by HealthHero are now available to all Simplyhealth Health Plan customers and can be accessed from within the SimplyPlan app or Simplyhealth customer portal, 24/7.
Dr Macarena Staudenmaier Keglevich M.D., MSc and Head of Clinical Product and Operations, Simplyhealth said:
“The UK faces the largest female health gap in the G20 and the 12th largest globally5, and it’s something we’re deeply committed to helping address. 96% of women told us they'd prefer seeing a women’s health-focused GP for future concerns. This tells us we’re on the right track. By connecting women with more expert GPs faster, we’re helping them get the answers, care, and support they need without the long waits. This service is just one way we’re working to make healthcare more responsive, accessible and truly supportive for all our members.”
A Simplyhealth customer who used the service said:
“I’ve had a bad experience previously with a GP trying to discuss menopause issues and ended up feeling like I’m the problem, (they suggested a referral to a psychiatrist rather than understanding what I was saying about perimenopause symptoms). The GP you provided was so much better. She listened, gave really good advice and this week I’ve spoken to my own GP off the back of her advice, had bloods taken and enroute to hopefully starting HRT. I really appreciate the information she gave me and the confidence to advocate for myself.”
Dr Emma Southworth, GP and Deputy Medical Director, HealthHero said:
"At HealthHero we are proud to have developed a simple approach to improving care for women, by giving patients the option to consult with a GP with specific expertise in women’s health. Through this pathway, we aim to provide consultations that are as relevant and empathetic as possible within a normal GP appointment. It has been encouraging to see such positive feedback from patients, who report feeling heard and well cared for, through this new approach which brings to life HealthHero's mission to simplify healthcare and improve lives."
This is the latest in a series of innovations offered to Simplyhealth Health Plan customers. Over the past 12 months it has launched a wide range of new services including discounted eye care, frames and lenses, alongside digital muscle and joint pain assessments and personalised self-management programmes, discounted services for physiotherapy, imaging and at home blood diagnostics, and specialist skin health (dermatology) services. All of Simplyhealth’s services alongside its cash benefits can be accessed through the SimplyPlan app and Web Portal.
References:
2 https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(24)00053-7/fulltext
*Where we refer to women, we recognise that many women's health concerns apply to those assigned female at birth, identify as female or exhibit female biological and/or physiological traits.