Further NHS cancelled operations highlights the appeal of mutual insurance, thinks National Friendly

BRISTOL, U.K. - Jan. 25, 2018 - PRLog -- The news that the NHS will cancel around 50,000 non urgent elective operations in January has once again highlighted the appeal of private medical insurance, which can offer a way to ease the strain on an already stretched NHS, thinks Bristol based mutual health insurer, National Friendly.

The new raft of 50,000 plus cancellations in one month significantly adds to the 6000 non-urgent operations which the NHS routinely cancels each month, according to its own published data.

Although these recent cancellations are deemed 'non-urgent,' those having to wait for an operation may have a very different view. Recent cancelled operations include hip operations and cataract surgery, which could mean an uncomfortable wait for many.

In response to this news, National Friendly's head of sales and marketing, Wayne Carter comments, "It is a well-known fact that the NHS is becoming increasingly overstretched, particularly during the winter months, when we often see a seasonal increase in demand. Whilst the NHS is integral to our society, as waiting times become longer, we believe that private medical insurance plays an important role in supporting consumers with an alternative healthcare solution."

For those now actively considering private health insurance, cover arranged via a mutual society might provide a useful third option between the NHS and traditional commercial private healthcare.

One of the advantages of using a mutual society is their strong customer focus; being member-owned, profits are reinvested in improving member benefits and services instead of paying dividends to shareholders.

Mutual society  National Friendly, which was started to help those who were prepared to make provision for life's uncertainties by making a weekly contribution to a deposit fund, provides a range of protection products, including its private healthcare policies, Optimum. Whether you want cover for prompt diagnosis and a range of minor out-patient treatments, or cover for private hospital in- and day-patient treatments, Optimum can help with your healthcare needs.

Wayne adds, "National Friendly's cause was a socially advanced concept 150 years ago and today it still follows the same principle of helping people to make contingencies for difficult times."

Details of National Friendly's insurance policies are available on their website – www.nationalfriendly.co.uk/optimum

Editor Notes

Media enquiries

For further information on National Friendly, please contact:

Guy Stephenson/Erica Evans

Nacelle Limited

Tel:  +44 (0)20 8333 9125

About National Friendly

Based in Bristol, National Friendly is a mutual organisation which is solely owned by its members.

Established in 1868, it has no shareholders and exists to serve the best interests of its 35,000 (as at September 2017) members.

National Friendly is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

Its vision is to be a forward thinking and trusted mutual that meets the health, welfare and protection needs of its customers through a portfolio of innovative and attractive insurance products.

For more information please visit www.nationalfriendly.co.uk

Data sources:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2013/04/Cancelled-Operations-Stats-PN-Q2-2017-18-46580-1.pdf

https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/publications/public-satisfaction-nhs-2016