L&G and Perci Health found that returning to work is the top concern for employees with cancer, with 83 per cent prioritising it over other issues like challenges with lifestyle activities at 65 per cent and social activities at 59 per cent.
But financial struggles were among the least cited concerns, mentioned by just 28 per cent, followed by relationship difficulties at 26 per cent and challenges in speaking with children at 12 per cent. The most common physical effect reported was reduced energy at 91 per cent, and the most common psychological effect was anxiety at 78 per cent. P
Perci Health offers virtual clinics providing both clinical and vocational rehabilitation, focusing on the physical, emotional, and practical effects of cancer to address these challenges. In partnership with L&G’s Vocational Clinical team, the goal is to help employees return to work after treatment, whenever appropriate.
Last year, 87.2 per cent of L&G claimants discharged from Perci Health participated in the vocational rehabilitation programme. Those who were not ready for support were provided access to a nurse and digital self-help tools.
Other key outcomes from the partnership include an impressive 95 NPS score, indicating high trust and satisfaction, 90 per cent appointment attendance, and 70 per cent of employees reporting significant improvements in their primary concerns. The average number of concerns identified during initial assessments was 26.7, emphasising the complexity of the side effects employees face following a cancer diagnosis.
L&G claims & governance director, retail group protection Vanessa Sallows says: “The challenges faced by individuals with a cancer diagnosis are incredibly complex. To adequately address these challenges, we must provide integrated, specialist and personalised care, using the multidisciplinary (MDT) approach; all of this built into our protection offerings. In this way, we’re not only improving outcomes for the employees we’re covering and providing holistic support, but also addressing the wider impact of cancer in the workplace and wider society.”
Perci Health co-founder and CEO Kelly McCabe says: “As more working age people are diagnosed, and more people are surviving longer, therefore needing to return to work after treatment, it is increasingly important to provide good quality clinical and Vocational Rehabilitation.
“Employment is one of the most important determinants of physical and mental health. The long term unemployed have a lower life expectancy and worse health than those who work. Not only does it provide financial security, but it’s about restoring identity, rebuilding confidence, and reclaiming normality – work can be a powerful anchor during recovery.
“At Perci Health, our specialist-led rehabilitation model addresses not only the physical effects of cancer, but also the many psychological barriers – anxiety, low mood and loss of confidence – that can stand in the way of returning to work. Supporting people back into meaningful roles is central to our mission, because we know that good work is beneficial for health.”
