On Sunday 15 April, the 3rd Brighton Marathon and Grand Hotel Mini Mile Races were staged and with just over 9,000 and just under 1,800 taking part respectively, the races constituted the biggest ever day of running in Brighton and Hove. Within our accounts department, Lee Knight, completed the race in 4 hours and 22 [...]
The Patients Association is calling for the Government to take action to cut NHS waiting times after research by the body revealed a 6% increase in waiting times last year. A Freedom of Information request from the Patients Association to NHS Acute Trusts in England revealed tht waiting times for routine procedures such as knee [...]
Another client success story … Well done to Max Caunhye (Finance Director at Manhattan) for completing the London Marathon on Sunday in 3 hours and 37 minutes. Max is fund raising for the Samaritans. Samaritans is a confidential emotional support service for anyone in the UK and Ireland. The service is available 24 hours a [...]
The Business Networking Club – a new prestigious breakfast networking club for Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire for business professionals looking to network with like minded professionals in a golfing environment. From 8am – 10am on the morning of each event day – for golfers and non-golfers. One Off Joining Fee: £100, Membership for all eight [...]
AXA UK has completed the acquisition of specialist online health insurance provider Health-on-Line. AXA said the acquisition demonstrated "a concerted bid" to grow the private medical insurance market by attracting new market entrants. AXA PPP healthcare has been Bournmounth-based Health-on-Line's underwriter and claims handler since 2005. AXA PPP chief executive Keith Gibbs said Health-on-Line is [...]
We are delighted to be one of the Premier sponsors for the 2012 South Coast Golf Tour. The Tour incorporates Golf, Business Networking and also raising awareness for this year's nominated charity dizzy: support 4 Diabetes. The 'dizzy Tour Putting Competition' is open to players and non players alike – anyone can putt! Following on [...]
We welcome Nick Slimmon (Business Development Manager) who joins the team. Nick comes to SJA having worked within the International private healthcare market with Bupa International and Medibank Private (a leading PMI proivder in Australia). In his five years with Bupa International, Nick has worked across direct and intermediary sales before managing the intermediary sales [...]
AXA PPP International has introduced a new online service for members. "My Globe" provides information on 247 countries including facilities where English is spoken. It also includes practical information on local culture and daily life such as public holidays, travel and transport as well as details of embassies, emergency numbers and safety and crime. AXA [...]
Nuffield Health, the independent sector hospital provider an gym operator, has announced the acquisition of Greens Health & Fitness, a chain of 15 fitness centres, from De Vere Group. The acquisition expands the group's foothold in the corporate wellbeing and gym market after it acquired the Cannons Health & Fitness health club chain in 2007 [...]
Local authorities (LAs) are to take over responsibility for carrying out health checks on people aged 40 and 74. Under Government reforms LAs will have a duty to ensure everyone in this age bracket is invited to receive an "MOT" which will assess their risk of developing life-threatening diseases including stroke and heart disease. Launched [...]
Rockinghorse Firewalk – Take up the ultimate challenge and raise money for sick and disabled children. A fun packed evening of entertainment and firewalking! All firewalkers receive two hours training on the night and a complimentary glass of bubbly. For more information please visit the website www.rockinghorse.org.uk Making life better for sick and disabled children [...]
As many as one in five travellers do not take out travel insurance before travelling abroad, research reveals. A survey carried out for ABTA, the travel agency trade association, suggests that many people are running the risk of facing huge medical bills should they fall ill because they have not taken out cover before travelling. [...]
A major dispute between Britain's largest private medical insurance provider and private hospital group was resolved after the parties signed a three year agreement aimed at providing long-term stability for patients. A contract has been signed by Bupa and BMI Healthcare which means the former's members will be able to access private healthcare across the [...]
SJA client The Printed Word held its annual Calendar Competition inviting their clients to enter one of the following categories – Nature, Action and Amusing. They had an overwhelming response which made it very difficult to choose from. The winning entry for the Amusing Category went to Sarah Louise with her crocheted bicycle taken underneath [...]
Heart disease and cancer have seen dramatic improvements in treatment over the last few years. To keep pace with these changes, AXA PPP healthcare have enhanced their core products with their new Heart and Cancer Commitment. Heart Cover – Members diagnosed with a heart condition will now have access to their dedicated nurse service which [...]
Bupa has removed a further 25 BMI Healthcare hospitals from its list of approved facilities, in addition to the 12 announced last month. Bupa has apologised for the inconvenience caused by the action, but argues that it is vital to maintain and improve the affordability of private healthcare for their members. Not all BMI Healthcare [...]
Private medical insurance and cash plan provider, Simplyhealth, announced last month the acquisition of Denplan from the AXA Group. Denplan is the UK's leading dental plan specialist and by expanding into the broader dental plan market, Simplyhealth has the opportunity to become better known for providing services to dentists and help more individuals with their dental health. Throughout [...]
On Sunday 4 December 2011, Lucy along with over 100 people dressed as Santa completed the VW Heritage Santa Cruise in aid of Chestnut Tree House children's hospice, which is the only children's hospice in Sussex that provides specialist palliative care to children and young adults. They managed to raise over £500.00 with all drivers paying [...]
Bupa's contract with BMI expires at the end of 2011. After several months of discussion, BMI has asked for 2012 prices for treating Bupa members that are over 20 percent more expensive that at least one other national hispital group, despite in Bupa's view offering no better quality or service. Reluctantly, after reviewing their hospital [...]
Now Aviva UK Health, the third largest player in the PMI market, has launched enhanced cancer cover which it claims is "one of the most extensive on the market". It applies from 1 January 2012 to both group and individual customers buying or renewing a policy. Aviva's new cancer pledge ensures that group and individual [...]
Seasonal Greetings and Best Wishes for the New Year Instead of sending Christmas cards we shall be making a donation to chosen charity, Rockinghorse. Rockinghorse is an independent charity, which aims to make life better for sick and disabled children in Sussex and Surrey by ensuring medical facilities for children and young people are as [...]
PHC (The Permanent Health Company) and AXA PPP healthcare have announced that with effect from 1st January 2012 all PHC private medical insurance (PMI) and dental insurance products will be underwritten by AXA PPP healthcare. PHC's products are currently underwritten by Great Lakes Reinsurance (UK) plc and are reinsured by Munich Reinsurance Company. PHC said [...]
Recent events has found SJA Client Mark Woolley styling Nichola Burley, one of the stars of the film Wuthering Heights for the big event at The BFI London Film Festival premiere that took place at the Curzon Mayfair in October. Descending into Shoreditch with Hollywood actor, Luke Evans (Clash of the Titans, Tamara Drewe, Robin [...]
ALC has announced that from 1st December 2011 all ALC Health's Prima policies incepting or renewing (excluding Prima Travel policies) will be underwritten by AXA PPP International. As part of the new underwriting partnership with AXA PPP International a new 'on-line claim enquiry service' will be launched for both in-patient and day-patient treatment.
The acquisition of Groupama Healthcare by Simplyhealth is unlikely to be completed this year, according to an update from Simplyhealth. The process has been held up by the courts and Financial Services Authority, who are experiencing an increase in workload due to the pipeline of similar deals, according to the insurer. In the meantime, both [...]
The 2011 Tour Championship concluded at the Downs Course, Goodwood with the rain holiding off for most of the day's play. The Guest Prize went to Sam Todd with a best of the day 39 points, 2nd place went to Charlie Eve (Carpenter Box) with Lee Stafford (XBG Plumbing & Heating) taking the winners prize [...]
Over the past few months, the SJA team has been busy studying to gain their National Vocational Qualifications. Debbie and Sarah Louise have both taken an NVQ 2 in Advice & Guidance and Team Leading & Management. Lucy has taken an NVQ 2 in Customer Services and Business Administration and Sheena an NVQ 2 in [...]
We are always delighted to hear of success stories from our clients and are pleased to share this recent article from Absolute Brighton (Issue 80) September 2011 about Marcus Butler (son of Richard Butler – The Fry Group's Finance Director). YouTube Generation Video-sharing website YouTube has become a phenomenally successful medium for people wanting to [...]
Global health services company Cigna (NYSE:CI) has agreed to acquire FirstAssist Insurance Services from Barclays Private Equity. FirstAssist is a leading travel and protection insurance company based in the United Kingdom. The acquisition will add a new product line to Cigna's extensive global portfolio, enabling the company to expand its individual business in the UK [...]
With winter just around the corner, between 3 and 18 million people in the UK will become infected with flu resulting in the loss of over 150 million working days. As a client of SJA International, we are able to offer our clients a 5% discount on Corporate and Individual Flu Injections through Your Excellent [...]