Tom Woolgrove is Chief Executive of Benenden Health, a healthcare provider with over 875,000 members across the UK. Stemming from its roots as the Post Office Sanatorium Society in 1905, Benenden remains a not-for-profit mutual, distinguishing itself from most other private healthcare models. Tom explains that the mutual model is a strength in the private healthcare field, because they can focus solely on the long-term health of their members rather than shareholder returns.
Tom also distinguishes Benenden’s role in healthcare from that of the NHS. Benenden specialises in ‘everyday’ elective procedures which often have long NHS queues, such as cataracts surgeries. Benenden members are able to access this important routine care and diagnostics much more quickly. Benenden leaves the more acute and critical situations like cancer treatment to the NHS. In this way, Benenden and the NHS are meant to complement each other, not compete.
Tom challenges the common view that private healthcare is only for the wealthy. Their not-for-profit, mutual, discretionary coverage model keeps the rate at about £16 per month, which Tom emphasises is affordable and easily accessible relative to their competitors. He reflects on the intrinsic reward that comes with leading a purpose-led business, and the pride he takes in Benenden’s ability to support so many people through a mutual healthcare business model.
Check out the Benenden Health website.
A special thanks to Norman Broadbent’s Mike Davies for suggesting this conversation!
Supported by Norman Broadbent.
Tom Woolgrove
