Health and Wellbeing Service
At SunLife, we want to bring you and your loved ones peace of mind – especially when it comes to your health and wellbeing.
That’s why we give you – and your partner and any children living with you – immediate and unlimited access to a free Health and Wellbeing Service. This is provided by our partner RedArc, and is available to you as soon as you buy a SunLife Guaranteed Over 50 Plan.
This service gives you regular, one-to-one support from the same experienced, registered Personal Nurse – by phone or by email. All you need to do is get in touch with them directly whenever you need it.
Available to SunLife Guaranteed Over 50 Plan customers (since 27th December 2024)
Regular support from the same experienced Personal Nurse
Free, immediate, and unlimited access – by phone or by email
For any long-term physical or mental illness, even if not diagnosed
Can also be used by your partner and any children living with you
On this page:
- What does the Health and Wellbeing Service support with?
- Who can use the Health and Wellbeing Service?
- Example support journey – Charlie’s cancer
- What’s not included?
- How to use the Health and Wellbeing Service
What does the Health and Wellbeing Service support with?
Support is available for any long-term physical or mental illness, even if it hasn’t been diagnosed. This could be anything from cancer, cardiac, and stroke, to depression, trauma, and addictions.
The Health and Wellbeing Service is also there to offer a helping hand with bereavement, healthy living, and other wellbeing concerns.
You have contact with the same Personal Nurse, who tailors their support to your needs. They stay in touch with you by phone (or by email if you prefer) – however often and for however long you need. And of course, everything is confidential.
Your Personal Nurse can help in many ways, such as:
Understanding your condition
No matter what you’re suffering from, the Health and Wellbeing Service is there to help you understand your condition and potential consequences.
Your Personal Nurse can give you advice on adjusting to life with an illness or disability, returning to work, and managing side effects of treatment or medication.
Discussing options
If you want to know more about next steps, your nurse can guide through the options available.
For instance, if you’ve been recently diagnosed with a condition, they can advise on what surgery, treatment, or medication might be right for you. A second medical opinion can also be arranged.
Developing a support plan
Your nurse can help develop you a personalised support plan, tailored to your specific needs and preferences.
They can also offer support to deal with the emotional toll on your family, as well as how to tell children and friends about your condition.
Mental health support
Mental health nurses are available to anyone using the service. Whatever the issues you’re facing, they can provide suggestions on how to improve your mental health and where else to seek help – or simply lend a listening ear.
Similarly, if you’re feeling lonely or isolated, your nurse is there to make sure you’re never truly alone – helping put the support systems you need in place. When clinically appropriate, they can organise a course of counselling or therapy.
Bereavement support
Losing a loved one can be really tough. If you’re struggling with grief, know that your nurse is on hand to chat things through on a regular basis as you navigate your new normal.
This can include methods to help you cope with your feelings, pointing you in the direction of useful resources, or just being there to listen.
Carer support
The service can provide guidance on care for a loved one – whether that’s with your personal support, at a residential home, or in another setting.
Not only that, but if you’re a carer yourself, it’s important to focus on your own health and wellbeing. And that’s where your nurse can come in – just a call or email away if you need a chat.
Healthy living guidance
If you’re looking to improve your diet or fitness, your nurse can guide through steps to take in the right direction.
This could be if you’re at risk of a condition, recovering from an illness, or simply wanting to get in better shape.
External services
If you need counselling, therapy, or other external services, your nurse can organise this for you free of charge, subject to clinical assessment.
What’s more, your nurse can carry out research on your behalf – signposting you to charities, groups, and clinical trials where appropriate. This also includes useful resources such as books, leaflets, and apps.
Remember that this and all other support is available whether you’ve been diagnosed or not.
Who can use the Health and Wellbeing Service?
The Health and Wellbeing Service is available to anyone who’s bought a SunLife Guaranteed Over 50 Plan since 27th December 2024. So if you’ve taken out a policy with us from this date, you can start using the service straight away.
What’s more, your partner and any children living with you can use it too – with the same free, immediate, and unlimited access as you.
Example support journey – Charlie’s cancer
This case study is an illustrative example.
Charlie was concerned about some symptoms he’d been experiencing, so got in touch with the Health and Wellbeing Service. His Personal Nurse was there to guide him through everything he faced in the following months.
It began with a discussion of Charlie’s symptoms and worries. His nurse encouraged him to see his GP – helping him prepare for the appointment and reassuring him along the way.
After a number of appointments, Charlie was sadly diagnosed with cancer. He naturally felt a lot of emotions, and had a lot of questions. His nurse continued to support him through regular phone calls. She had plenty of time for Charlie to discuss his worries and concerns, they talked through his options, and she gave him advice.
At each stage of his journey, Charlie received appropriate, practical support through the service. His nurse arranged help at home after surgery, and discussed ways to deal with side effects during treatment.
And of course, she provided him with all the emotional support he needed throughout the process.
After treatment, Charlie remained worried about his final tests – so spoke to his nurse for reassurance. Fortunately, the cancer was found to be in remission.
Although he’s pleased to be in remission, Charlie still values the support of his nurse in coming to terms with life after cancer.
What’s not included?
This is a support service only. Primary care remains the responsibility of the NHS and/or consultant, and all issues relating to primary care are directed accordingly.
How to use the Health and Wellbeing Service
Using the Health and Wellbeing Service is simple – and you have two options.
You can call RedArc on 0800 904 7612*. Lines are open from Monday to Friday, between 9am and 5pm.
Or if you prefer, you can email them anytime at referrals@redarc.co.uk.
There’s no need to contact SunLife – just get directly in touch with RedArc.
Remember that this isn’t an emergency service. If you do need urgent help, call 999 or 111.
*RedArc values privacy and confidentiality, so your calls are not recorded. Call charges may vary. Mon-Fri 9am to 5pm. Any personal data held by RedArc will not be shared with a third party without your consent. To understand how RedArc uses your data, please refer to their privacy notice.
RedArc is a support service that isn’t regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. These services aren’t part of the terms and conditions of your SunLife Guaranteed Over 50 Plan and may be amended or withdrawn at any time.