HCML and babylon agree partnership to try and ease UK’s back, neck and muscle problems

HCML, the rehab provider, and babylon, a digital healthcare service, have agreed a partnership which they say will give employers more productive staff, fewer lost working days and better insurance premiums.

The two companies are to offer UK employers an integrated musculoskeletal (MSK) employee service. They say that back, neck and muscle problems strip 31 million working days from the UK economy a year and that its service can give people instant healthcare access without needing to take days off for medical appointments. According to the companies, the partnership will also mean that injured staff start on the correct treatment plan faster and get the best help to recover.

The new service lets staff act quickly on MSK concerns by getting accurate medical advice instantly, and by consulting with leading medical professionals in minutes through secure video consultations. Clinical information is analysed quickly using babylon’s proprietary, award winning technology to help users at any time, anywhere in the world.

HCML then create clinically robust treatment plans to maximise and accelerate recovery. Its case managers identify the most beneficial course of action, and then provide a detailed handover to one of the UK’s largest clinically managed networks of MSK treatment providers.

“With GP appointments in short supply, too many people soldier on at work, increasing the risk of more muscle damage and a longer recovery period,” said Dr Umang Patel, babylon’s clinical director. “Proactive intervention using digital health services significantly cuts risks”.

“This new service can change lives by giving staff the best digital and physical healthcare, helping from first symptom through to full rehabilitation. Continuous support and timely interventions guarantee the best outcomes.

“Employers get more productive staff and higher engagement from a service that is not limited by location or beholden to local healthcare pressures or physiotherapy shortages. They get cost savings from fewer lost working days and better insurance premium controls – crucial when 30 per cent of corporate PMI claims are MSK-linked.

“Lower back pain causes misery to millions of UK workers. Early intervention and case management really alleviate it, improving quality of life, productivity and profitability and is proven to improve outcomes with MSK conditions.”

HCML CEO Keith Bushnell said: “We know from our experience of providing a stepped-care model of MSK clinical care at high volume that case management promotes rapid and appropriate care, resulting in significant cost-containment by reducing unnecessary interventions and consultations.

“Our approach facilitates speedier return to functionality and work by ensuring that the right care is provided by the highest quality network of clinicians who are constantly quality assured. Now we can start the full rehabilitation process earlier to return more people to pre-injury condition.”

Mark Dugdale