Paul Jackson
Group Chief Executive, The Hospital Saturday Fund
Health plan provider maintains long-standing ethical principles by offering comprehensive healthcare coverage and supporting charities through Hospital Saturday Fund.
The Hospital Saturday Fund charity, and its trading company HSF Health Plan, mark its 150th year by upholding the charitable principles of its founders. Notably, all profits made by HSF Health Plan are passed on to The Hospital Saturday Fund. It offers comprehensive healthcare coverage, including dental, optical, GP services, physiotherapy, acupuncture, mammograms and vaccinations.
Providing healthcare plans
Paul Jackson, Group Chief Executive since 2011, explains the organisation marked its landmark anniversary in June with events in London supported by Graham Norton, and in Dublin, where it donated more than 300,000 euros to around 50 charities.
Founded in 1873 by social reformer Reginald Brabazon, the 12th Earl of Meath, it provides health plans in Ireland and the UK for accessible healthcare. Additionally, it supports registered health charities, hospices, doctors, medical organisations and individuals in need of grants for medical projects, care, research and medical training.
Called the Hospital Saturday Fund (the day people paid their penny for access to medical care), Jackson explains: “Today, we offer various health plans depending on how much cover people would like.”
Every policyholder is part of the work of the
charity just by taking the insurance out.
Improving lives across sectors
In Ireland, 54% of people have private medical insurance. Employers such as the HSE, Government departments, AnPost, Dublin Bus, Boots and Screwfix are supporting employee wellbeing with HSF Health Plans.
Starting at €2.60 weekly, it stands out by investing in local communities via donations to medical charities. “Our whole ethos is to improve people’s lives,” says Jackson. This year, it will donate around 2.5 million euros and, since 2008, has donated around 15 million euros to 5,500 charities.
Supporting charities and policyholders
Charities The Hospital Saturday Fund has supported include Alzheimer Society of Ireland; Cork Life Centre; DEBRA Ireland; Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind; LauraLynn (Ireland’s Children’s Hospice); Spinal Injuries Ireland; and Trinity College Dublin School of Medicine.
“We get great feedback from charities and policyholders,” says Jackson. “Every policyholder is part of the work of the charity just by taking the insurance out because any profit from health plans goes to charity.”