Benenden Health (formerly The Post Office and Civil Service Sanatorium Society) is a not-for-profit mutual society in the UK providing private medical cover. Its membership consists of over 870,000 individuals and employees of corporate schemes provided by them.[1] Benenden Health was the shirt sponsor of York City Football Club from the 2012–13 season until the 2018-2019 season.[2]
 | |
| Company type | Limited company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Healthcare |
| Founded | 1905 |
| Headquarters | York, United Kingdom |
Key people | Darrell Evans, Chief Executive Officer (interim), May 2024 - present |
| Products | hospital, health insurance, travel insurance, home insurance |
Number of employees | 400+ |
| Website | www |
History
editThe Post Office Branch of the National Association for the Establishment and Maintenance of Sanatoria for Workers Suffering from Tuberculosis Friendly Society[3] was founded in 1905 to help working class Post Office employees control costs of the tuberculosis epidemic when conventional medical insurance was not widely affordable. The business model of weekly member fees was proposed by a Post Office clerk, Charles Garland.
In 1923 the name became The Post Office and Civil Service Sanatorium Society, as the membership was opened to a new industry. In October 1990, the registered office moved from London to York.
On 1 January 2010, the Society changed its name to the Benenden Healthcare Society.[3]
Membership was restricted to those employed in the public sector, both at national and local level, which led to difficulties as many functions were being outsourced and, consequently, membership began to decline. In June 2012, delegates at Benenden Health's annual conference in Manchester voted to remove restrictions on membership.[4] Also in June 2012, Benenden Health became shirt sponsor of York City Football Club.[5] This sponsorship ended in the summer of 2019.[2]
In early 2018, the Society rebranded using the trading style "Benenden Health".
Benenden Hospital
editBenenden Hospital was founded in 1907 near Benenden, Kent as a sanatorium location for tuberculosis treatment and became a centre for hospital treatment for members of Trade Unions and Friendly Societies, and subsequently public sector employees.
Benenden Hospital in its original form as ‘Benenden Sanatorium’ was designed by Augustus William West, following pre-Bauhaus principles.[6] The building is an example of early British modernist architecture.
The hospital is now administered by Benenden Hospital Trust and is used by local National Health Service agencies and patients who use private medical insurance or who pay directly for their own hospital care. It is also one of a national network of 26 hospital facilities at which Benenden Health can authorise surgical and other treatment procedures. The hospital was rated outstanding by the Care Quality Commission in May 2017. 22% of its activity is now commissioned by the NHS, mostly orthopaedic, gynaecology and ophthalmology surgery for adults.[7]
Awards
edit- Most Trusted Health Insurance Provider - Moneywise Customer Service Awards 2014[8] and in 2015[9]
- Most Trusted Health Insurance Provider via Employer – Moneywise Customer Service Awards 2019[10]
- 100 Best Not-for-Profit Organisations 2019 – The Sunday Times[11]
- Best Healthcare Service at the Investment Life & Pensions Moneyfacts Awards 2019[12]
Sponsorships
editIn January 2013, Benenden Health began their sponsorship deal with York City Football Club.[13] After 7 years of sponsoring York City Football Club, it was announced by York City chairman Jason McGill that Benenden Health will end their sponsorship.[2]
Benenden Health have been a main sponsor of York Pride since 2012, this is an annual celebration for York and North Yorkshire’s LGBT community.[14]
References
edit- ^ "About Benenden". www.benenden.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2024-07-26. Retrieved 2017-04-25.
- ^ a b c "Chairman thanks Benenden Health". www.yorkcityfootballclub.co.uk. Retrieved 2019-11-14.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b Original rules filed with the Registrar of Mutual Societies at https://mutuals.fca.org.uk/Search/Search?searchLink=true&page=2&SocietyId=16914&SearchTerm=The%20Benenden%20Healthcare%20Society%20Limited Archived 2024-07-26 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Benenden Healthcare set to open doors to all". benenden.co.uk. 21 June 2012. Archived from the original on 26 July 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2013.
- ^ "Benenden Healthcare to support Wembley winners York City FC in forthcoming season". benenden.co.uk. 14 June 2012. Archived from the original on 26 July 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2013.
- ^ Strouts, Hazel (11 September 2019). "Uncovering the story of early British modernism". www.ribaj.com. Archived from the original on 2024-07-26. Retrieved 2019-11-14.
- ^ "Independent provider to NHS rated 'outstanding' by CQC". Health Service Journal. 16 May 2017. Archived from the original on 26 July 2024. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
- ^ "Unveiled: the 2014 Moneywise Customer Service Awards winners". Moneywise. Retrieved 2019-11-14.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Revealed: the UK's most trusted financial providers". Moneywise. Retrieved 2019-11-14.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Moneywise Customer Service Awards 2019: the winners revealed, as voted by you". Moneywise. Retrieved 2019-11-14.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Sunday Times 100 Best Not For Profit organisations 2019 (number 45 on the list)". Best Companies. Archived from the original on 2017-02-26. Retrieved 2019-11-14.
- ^ "Investment Life & Pensions Moneyfacts Awards 2019". www.moneyfactsgroup.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2024-07-26. Retrieved 2019-11-14.
- ^ "Benenden Renew Foundation Support". www.yorkcityfootballclub.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2020-09-28. Retrieved 2019-11-14.
- ^ "VIDEO - Benenden 'Raises the Rainbow' in support of York Pride". Minster FM. 2016-06-13. Archived from the original on 2024-07-26. Retrieved 2019-11-14.
Further reading
edit- Benenden: The History of The Benenden Healthcare Society 1905-2005, Bill McPate, 2006, William Sessions Limited, York.
- Caring for Generations: The Benenden Story 1905-2005, Sarah Smelik, 2005, Leeds Press Ltd, Leeds.
- Post Office & Civil Service Sanatorium Society: A History 1905-1980, Kingfisher-Kent, Tunbridge Wells.