One in five delay GP appointments due to work pressure, report finds

Bupa and YuLife’s ‘HealthTech at Work’ report found a fifth of UK workers avoided or delayed a GP appointment in the past year because they were too busy with work. 

Londoners were most likely to skip medical appointments due to work, while employees in Wales were least affected. 

The research found 21% of employees postponed a GP appointment, with 27% of 18 to 34-year-olds delaying mental health support like counselling or therapy, compared to 12% of over-55s. 

46% of employees cut back on exercise or gym visits due to workload. 

32% reported poorer eating habits, such as skipping meals or relying on convenience food. 

Nearly one in five delayed other healthcare, including dental or optical check-ups. 

Sammy Rubin, founder of YuLife, said: “This is the hidden cost of busyness. When people are too busy to see a doctor or take care of themselves, everyone loses: individuals, employers, and the health system. 

“The data shows that work-life imbalance is quietly eroding preventative health. 

“We need to make wellbeing part of working life, not something squeezed in after hours.”