First Great Western has launched employer-funded healthcare cash plans for its 4,800 staff members across the UK.

The scheme, provided by Health Shield, went live at the beginning of the month. Prior to the scheme being introduced cash plans were only offered as a voluntary benefit and were taken up by 800 employees.

A spokesperson at First Great Western commented: “As a responsible employer, we consider the health and wellbeing of our workforce as vital to our continued success as a train operating company.

“We felt that the time was right to introduce a wellbeing strategy to provide our staff with the help and benefits they will really use to help them manage their everyday healthcare bills."

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