Half of UK workers sacrifice holiday for healthcare

Half of UK workers have been forced to dip into their annual leave just to see a doctor - with many missing out on treatment altogether because they can’t afford the time off.

New research from AXA Health Insurance shows that half (50%) of employees have used precious annual leave to attend their own medical appointments, while 44% did the same to support someone else. 

For parents of children with additional healthcare needs, the situation is even worse as nearly two thirds (65%) of those with children with special educational needs and more than three quarters (76%) of those with children with long-term conditions have had to sacrifice leave to attend someone else’s medical appointment.

Fear of being seen as unreliable also drives avoidance, with almost half of workers (47%) admitting they don’t like to take time off work for their own health. As a result, nearly half (46%) have missed their own medical appointments because of work, and two in five (38%) have skipped appointments for someone else.

The consequences go beyond lost time. One in five employees (20%) say they feel guilty about attending medical appointments, and nearly the same number (18%) report feeling stressed or anxious about it.

The findings come following the Government’s plans to launch a new NHS online hospital service in 2027. While the initiative promises to save patients valuable time, AXA Health’s research highlights just how urgently this is needed, with the UK’s workforce already feeling the strain. Greater access to online healthcare could ease the administrative load, reduce stress, and give people the flexibility to look after themselves as well as their loved ones.

Heather Smith, CEO at AXA Health, said: “When employees feel they have to use annual leave for medical appointments, it undermines both their health and their ability to properly rest. That’s not sustainable for people or for businesses. The Government’s plans for an NHS online hospital are a welcome step towards giving people back valuable time, but employers can’t afford to wait until 2027.”

The policy divide
While some workplaces support staff with flexible hours, hybrid options or paid medical leave, the research shows a stark divide between office workers and everyone else. Office staff are most likely to benefit from flexible hours (44%) or remote working (42%). But access plummets among manual workers and tradespeople, where only around one in five (21%) can work flexibly, and more than a third (34%) of manual workers in industries such as retail or factories/production say they have no supportive policies at all.

The role of online healthcare
Digital healthcare could help close the gap. Among those who have access and have found it helpful, three in five (61%) say it saves them time, while 41% find it easier to fit around work. More than a third (34%) say it helps them stay on top of their own health, with many also reporting reduced stress (29%) and better support for their families (27%).

Heather Smith added: “By embracing digital healthcare solutions now, businesses can reduce stress, cut absenteeism, and ensure their people stay healthy and productive. The private sector has a key role to play in complementing the NHS and helping the UK workforce thrive.”

_{Research conducted on behalf of AXA Health by Opinium Research between 12th and 16th September 2025 among a nationally representative sample of 2,000 respondents}