When it comes to healthcare, the feeling's mutual
Friday, 23 October, 2009
The mutual healthcare provider, Benenden Healthcare Society is owned by its members, run in the interests of its membership rather than external shareholders. A strong mutual ethos is coupled with a legacy of service dating back more than a century.
Now, more than ever, people are looking to place their money and health in the hands of organisations that uphold moral values and place the interests of their membership at their heart. This is what makes the Benenden Healthcare service a good choice for public sector workers: the society's caring, loyal and friendly ethos is a reflection of the Public Sector's organisational values.
As a mutual, Benenden Healthcare Society complements the NHS by providing discretionary healthcare services when members are experiencing difficulty solving their health problems.
With an ageing population, healthcare needs are set to rise over the next decade. Medical advancements enable more to be done; at a price. However, with an ageing population the cost of new treatments is likely to become ever more unaffordable for the NHS with the possible limitations on public expenditure.
"The funding of medical care in the UK has to change as it is reaching a crossroads and the Society believes that the mutual model can contribute to the benefit of consumers and policymakers," said Ken Hesketh, Chief Executive, Benenden Healthcare Society.
The Government is looking towards independent healthcare providers to help the NHS to make best use of finite resources. Over the last few years the NHS has commissioned the private sector to operate treatment centres to drive down waiting times and increase choice for NHS patients. It is likely that over the coming years, private sector involvement will increase to cover GP services and other primary care services. It may not be long therefore before we all become used to parts of our NHS care being delivered by providers who are not themselves part of the NHS.
"Our mutuality is important to us and we firmly believe that mutual organisations have an important role in the future provision of UK healthcare," continued Hesketh. "We will maintain our tradition of service and mutuality while at the same time looking to take a key role in the development of the 21st century UK healthcare model."
Mutual providers prioritise services based on the needs of their members. The services the Society provides are based on the feedback it receives from contributors, to ensure it is responsive and tailored to the needs emerging from the bottom up, rather than being imposed from the top down.
"As part of our strategy we will continue to watch and try to influence the external environment and look to ensure that the Society has a greater role in the UK's healthcare mix in future," added Hesketh.
"We believe we are prepared for significant change if we think it appropriate in responding to evolving member needs. In the near-term, it may mean more of a shift towards providing more information-based services, whereas in the medium to longer-term, it could mean a more prominent provider/purchaser role brought about by a shift in the way national healthcare is funded and delivered."
Benenden Healthcare membership is open to all current and former public sector workers, for only £1.50 per person, per week and members benefit from prompt diagnosis and treatment in first class medical facilities as well as 24-hour, UK based GP and counselling help lines.
For further information on Benenden Healthcare and how to join, please call 0845 270 3832 * or visit: www.benenden.org.uk
*Calls cost a maximum of 4p per minute for BT customers. The price of calls from non-BT lines will wary. Calls may be recorded.
CASE STUDY TESTIMONIAL
Susan Short
Metropolitan Police
At the time of writing, Susan Short had only been a member of Benenden Healthcare Society for four months - but she is convinced that joining the organisation was a good decision.
Susan, 50, works for the Metropolitan Police and saw a poster advertising Benenden on a wall in her Kingston-upon-Thames office.
Her parents were Benenden Healthcare members and the treatment they received, as well as the favourable membership costs, was what attracted her to the Society.
She said: "I have family connections with Benenden Healthcare, as both my mum and dad were members and when I saw the poster at work I thought it would be a good idea to sign up. I've only been a member a few months but the rates are considerably better than other schemes I've seen and been on."
Susan, of Chessington, now has a wide range of discretionary healthcare services available to her - if she needs them.
From the 24-hour telephone lines to discuss any health-related query, to up to £300 of private physiotherapy until the NHS can place you locally, or the £1,500 available to members to receive a prompt diagnosis for any health problem - Benenden Healthcare has a lot covered.
Benenden Healthcare has a membership of over 900,000 people.
As a mutual society, each member is able to have their say on important decisions and all their regular contributions are used for the benefit of the membership.
Susan said: "Fingers crossed, I won't have to use the services for the time being - but if I ever do need them, I know that my mother and father both received good treatment."
