Westfield’s history charted in new book
Westfield Health’s rise to eminence from its formation 90 years ago has been charted in a new book by Westfield Personal Assistant Louise Pearson.
Founded in 1919, Westfield started life as the Sheffield Consultative and Advisory Hospitals Council. It was formed to look at ways of helping the city’s four self-financing hospitals, The Royal, The Royal Infirmary, The Children’s and Jessop Hospital for Women, all of which were desperately short of money after the First World War.
Evolving and growing over the years, Westfield has become one of the most successful and secure health insurance providers in the UK with over 90 years’ experience, providing cover for over third of a million policyholders.
‘The History of Westfield Health through the War Years 1939 – 1945’ traces the organisation’s entire history, investigating Westfield’s origins, how it operated during the Second World War and how it has grown and expanded over the years.
The book recounts the launch of the ‘penny in the pound’ scheme in 1921, which provided workers with free hospital treatment in return for a weekly contribution of a penny in every pound earned.
It looks at how the city of Sheffield was affected by the war, including the Sheffield Blitz in 1940, and how Westfield, despite many other national contributory schemes, continued to operate after the birth of the National Health Service in 1948.
Author Louise Pearson said: "It has been fascinating to see how Westfield has evolved over the years. Westfield was one of the few health cash plan providers to survive after the introduction of the NHS, and our plans and benefits have continued to develop over the years to both anticipate and match changing healthcare needs."
The history also details how the city’s voluntary hospitals were affected by the war and Westfield continued to support and provide invaluable services to the hospitals and its patients.
Louise added: "My research has also really demonstrated Westfield’s caring culture. Our innovation, pride in our products and customer-focused approach are just three strengths that have clearly been evident for decades.
"The book is really a story of Westfield’s journey – from modest beginnings to becoming a Sheffield institution."
The History of Westfield Health through the War Years is available in local Sheffield libraries and in Sheffield hospital libraries.
A pdf of the book is also available on this website. Visit www.westfieldhealth.com/about-us/history.asp and click on the link.
© Westfield Health Insurance 2012
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