January is always a difficult time for the NHS – namely due to an increase in common winter illnesses, such as flu.
But the latest bout of winter pressure has had worrying consequences.
Tens of thousands of non-urgent operations and procedures may be deferred until 31 January.
NHS England’s National Emergency Pressures Panel extended the deadline for non-urgent care – such as hip or knee replacements – to free-up capacity for the sickest patients.
Some centres on ‘black alert’
The BBC reported that Nottingham’s Queen’s Medical Centre asked patients to avoid its emergency department on Tuesday 2 January. This came after the centre put its emergency department on black alert after seeing 140 patients in one evening.
According to the BBC, the centre considers “between 80 and 100 patients a very busy level”.
A golden opportunity to grow PMI business
These reports make many people feel anxious over what might happen if they need medical treatment during this busy period. And there’s no way of predicting when things will improve, so the worry and concern will continue to grow.
But that’s where you have a golden opportunity to help them bypass uncertainty and worry by recommending PMI.
Inspire – a unique, low-cost option
You’ll know better than anyone that even if a client is interested in PMI, price can put them off. It’ll always play a role in their buying decision, particularly since they can use the NHS free at the point of use.
That’s why, in partnership with Spire Healthcare, we created inSpire – the only plan of its kind on the market.
It provides access to all 39 Spire hospitals across the UK and is a compelling choice if your client has a Spire hospital in their area.
And as we are Spire Healthcare’s chosen health insurance partner, we benefit from discounted hospital charges, which we pass onto your clients in the form of reduced premiums.
What’s more, Money Saving Expert compared PMI plans across the industry and found that inSpire offers the most competitive premiums.*
inSpire could also be an ideal private health insurance plan for people living in the following regions:
- Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset
- Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
- Cheshire (Eastern, Vale Royal and South)
- Northumberland
- North Central London
- North West London
- South East London
- Surrey and Sussex
- Vale of York and Scarborough and Ryedale
That’s because these regions were placed into the CEP (capped expenditure process) last year. The British Medical Association warned that this cost-cutting drive will have ‘serious consequences for the care and treatment patients receive and can expect in hospitals and GP surgeries around the country.’
People living in these regions will be particularly worried about how the cuts and recent pressures might affect their health.
So if you have a client in the areas mentioned above, or you’re dealing with someone whose main objection to PMI is price, why not see if they could benefit from inSpire?
Regional Plus – a modular plan offering flexible cover
Our Regional Plus Plan provides your clients with fast access to major private hospital groups such as Spire, BMI, Ramsay, and Nuffield. It’s based on a regional pricing model, which gives it nationwide appeal.
It’s also available on an individual and SME basis and, as with all our PMI plans, premiums don’t have built-in ‘no claims discounts’. So premiums will never increase just because your client has made a claim, which helps long-term affordability.
Given many hospitals throughout the country are undergoing such intense pressure, now is an ideal time to recommend the Regional Plus Plan to those who want to protect their health.
*Correct as of January 2018.
