Norwich Union Healthcare is working with leading cancer charity Cancerlink on an innovative new approach to looking after customers who develop the disease.
Norwich Union Healthcare is working with leading cancer charity Cancerlink on an innovative new approach to looking after customers who develop the disease.
Cancerlink is providing special training for a new customer services team which has been set up by NUHC to improve the way claims from policyholders with cancer are handled.
The eight-strong oncology team, led by an experienced specialist cancer nurse, will be fully operational by the middle of this year.
When an NUHC policyholder is identified as having cancer they will be directed to the oncology team, and their entire claims process will be dealt with by just one or two dedicated staff.
The claimant will be able to speak to their dedicated team member via a direct number, making the process as quick and easy as possible.
Dr Doug Wright, clinical development manager for NUHC, said the aim of the initiative was to offer the best possible service and support to people at a very difficult time.
"This team is being set up to help people who are facing a very stressful and anxious time. It is important that there is a consistent and understanding approach and that they get whatever help and advice they need," he said.
"Cancerlink has great expertise in this complex area, and they are providing our new team with specialist training in support and counselling skills to help them understand the emotions and issues faced by cancer patients."
The relationship with Cancerlink also provides Norwich Union Healthcare customers with easier access to the charity's Freefone Support Link, online support services and range of self-help publications.
Cancerlink chief executive Judith McNeill said: "By offering support directly to claimants and working with the Norwich Union Healthcare oncology team, we can better meet the concerns of people coping with cancer."
Media contact - Louise Zucchi, Norwich Union Press Office, 01603 684506
Notes to Editors:
- Cancerlink brings people together to find and share support, and influence future cancer services and research working with people living with cancer and their families, friends and carers. The charity also supports more than 600 local self-help and support groups across the UK.
- Norwich Union Healthcare was founded in 1990 as the healthcare arm of Norwich Union and now provides a range of income protection and private medical insurance products to around 600,000 customers. It is one of the largest providers of income protection and private medical insurance in the UK.
- CGU and Norwich Union merged on 30 May 2000 to create CGNU plc - the world's 6th largest insurer, the UK's largest insurance group and one of the top-five life insurers in Europe with substantial positions in other markets around the world.
CGNU's principal business activities are long-term savings, general insurance and asset management with worldwide premium income and retail investment sales of Ł26 billion and assets under management of more than Ł200 billion.
The combined life and pensions, general insurance and retail fund businesses in the UK operate under the Norwich Union brand, while the institutional business operates under the Morley Fund Management brand.