With demand for hospital treatment outstripping capacity even before COVID-19, it is no surprise that the demands of delivering care during a pandemic have led to significant backlogs and longer waits for patients. The British Medical Association (BMA) provides regular analysis on NHS capacity and their latest update states that more patients than ever are currently waiting for treatment - a record high of almost 7.21 million people.

The outlook looks gloomy. However, it's the growing “hidden backlog” that's becoming an increasing concern for the NHS, because the depth of this hidden problem remains relatively unknown. The hidden backlog consists of patients who require care but have either not yet presented, or who have had referrals cancelled due to the impact of Covid-19 on the NHS; patients who, in normal times, would have been referred for treatment, received elective care and attended outpatient appointments, but who for many different reasons have not yet found their way into the health system.

For example, the proportion of patients seen by a specialist consultant within two weeks of an urgent GP referral for a suspected cancer remains worryingly low – and this is storing up greater problems for the future. These backlogs are likely to result in worsened conditions down the line, leading to greater demand on health services.

That’s why we’ve recently written to all our customers to remind them of the other benefits their insurance provider gives in addition to the invaluable financial protection and peace of mind that comes with their policy.

Protection insurance policies come in many different forms and commonly they pay out if the policyholder suffers a serious illness and survives or if the policyholder passes away. However, what people forget after they’ve taken out the policy and filed it safely away for if the worst does happen, is that most providers give customers additional benefits, which they can access in most cases free of charge. Services which could prove to be literally lifesaving when access to health services have never been more difficult, and experts predict that the NHS is facing its worst winter on record, as flu admissions have risen by 40% in this last week.

Here's a quick summary of the extra support some of the leading UK insurers provide if you have taken out a policy.

AIG - SmartHealth is available to policyholders and their immediate family, including children up to the age of 21 - 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, at no extra cost. Providing a convenient way to manage your health and wellbeing, it includes unlimited access to a 24/7 UK-based GP, mental health support, a health check, access to nutrition consultations and an online fitness programme.

Aviva – DigiCare+ is a smartphone app you can use if you have an Aviva protection policy, giving you access to tools to look after your health and wellbeing. The app connects you with clinicians, nutritionists, therapists and includes access to a nurse, whenever you need one with their 24-hour helpline — and it won’t cost extra!

Legal & General – have partnered with RedArc Assured Limited to bring their policyholders, their partners and children living at home access to a new wellbeing support service and their registered nurses provide a wide range of phone-based support services. You don’t need to make a claim on your policy to get the help you need, you can get in touch with a nurse directly – and make unlimited calls as often as you need.

Royal London customers have access to Helping Hand support services, which includes 24/7 access to virtual GP consultations by NHS doctors. Plus, if at any time the policyholder, or your partner and children, suffer a serious physical or mental illness, injury or bereavement, Helping Hand will be there to offer support – even if you don’t make a claim. RedArc provide regular support from a dedicated nurse, to give tailored and personal support whenever it’s needed, for as long as it’s needed.

Zurich Support Services provide a free and confidential health and wellbeing service, giving help and support on a wide range of issues and includes support to help you achieve a positive work-life balance, such as career counselling. It’s not  just available at claims stage – you can use this throughout the lifetime of your policy and it’s available to policyholders,  and their  family with no limit on queries or issues.

In fact, most insurers provide additional support for their customers in some way, shape or form, and you generally do not have to make a claim to access the support offered – plus these added services are often extended to the policy holders partner and children, so it’s definitely worth checking what extra support is available to you if you have a policy.

Speaking to a healthcare professional as soon as possible if you or a family member has any health concerns, doubts or worries could save your life, because most conditions are a lot easier to treat and the prognosis can be more favourable the sooner illness is discovered. It is important to talk to your doctor if something doesn’t seem right, but if you can’t get to see someone through the normal channels, your insurer could help you get the support you need.

So, if you've got life insurance or critical illness cover, check out what your insurer gives as extra to see what they will do to support you besides paying out a claim. If you are an Essential Insurance customer and you are not sure what you can gain access to, please do not hesitate to get in touch on 0800 612 8005.