Member Article

Clean bill of health for Sovereign's landmark year

One of the region’s longest established companies is still a picture of good health – despite reaching the grand old age of 140.

Sovereign Health Care was founded as the Hospital Fund of Bradford in 1873, and since then has been offering an important lifeline to families, individuals and communities across the Yorkshire region.

The 45 staff at the Bradford-based firm will be celebrating 2013 in style to help mark the birthday milestone.

Proceedings kicked off when chief executive of Sovereign Health Care, Russ Piper and claims manager, Anne Newman (one of the firm’s longest serving employees), visited the Thackray Medical Museum in Leeds to see how medical treatments have changed since Sovereign began life under the reign of Queen Victoria.

Although health care has advanced and changed beyond all recognition during the past 140 years, Mr Piper said the fundamental principles behind Sovereign remain the same now as they did then.

Among the values held firm by the business are to charitable giving, via the Sovereign Health Care Charitable Trust which has donated over £4 million to health related charities and good causes in the last six years alone.

Sovereign is also proud to have retained its independent status and Mr Piper believes there is no reason why the not-for-dividend firm cannot exist for another 140 years following the same ethos of delivering affordable and usable health care cash plans, while remaining committed to its Bradford roots.

“It is a remarkable milestone for us to celebrate our 140th birthday and everyone at Sovereign should be proud of their contribution to its fine history and the part they will play in its future,” he said.

“Clearly, to have survived through one of the most tumultuous periods of history marked by major changes in lifestyle and health care provision shows how important our values are to the ongoing success of the firm.

“Visiting the Thackray Medical Museum has emphasised how far we have come from the days of bleeding, plastering, purging, sweating, blistering and amputation in Victorian England.

“The face of health care has changed beyond recognition, but we will continue to put our customers first and strive to offer competitive cash plans supplying a crucial boost and greater peace of mind for thousands of families and individuals.

“Here’s to another 140 years!”

Go to www.sovereignhealthcare.co.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Jonathan Redhead .