Lord Nuffield's Encouragement oj Social Services O NE of the most
Page 25
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
interesting organizations inaugurated under the Legis of the Nuffield Provident Guarantee Fund is the Central Provident Association, which was registered in 1943, and the solvency of which is guaranteed by this Fund.
It has a total membership to date of some 6,000, and branches in Scotland, Hull, Leeds, Huddersfield, Manchester, Nottingham and Lincoln, with agencies in other parts. The satisfactory development of the Association during its early days resulted in the adoption, in December, 1944, of additional tables of contribution and benefit. These benefits now extend to consultations, surgical operations and a wide range of specialist services concerning members in their own homes or indirectly through consultants at times when the members are not in hospitals or nursing homes.
There are three classes of membership—A, B and C. Under the first, the benefits are confined to in-patient treatment and other services directly connected therewith; in the other two, the benefits are extended to consultations, operations and . a wide range of specialist services. The Association makes grants up to £105 and £157 10s. respectively, with regard to treatment or service rendered to a subscriber or any dependant included in his membership.
The Association is not a profit-making affair, and thus can offer very moderate subscription rates, whilst when surplus funds accrue they will, no doubt, be utilized in the provision of additional benefits or reductions in contributions.
Membership is annual, but renewable at the end of each member's year. This is most important, considering the impending changes in the health services which are to be made by the Government.
Another important feature is that there are no income limits, and members may be accepted between the ages of 18 and 60, and resident or employed in the provinces or in Scotland, whilst child dependants of any age may be included.
Each provincial branch has a local committee and honorary secretary acting as links between the local members and headquarters at Oxford, whilst the control of the whole Association is by a Council of 14 members presided over by a well-known surgeon.
Inquiries for information should be addressed to the Secretary, The Central Provident Association, 16, King Edward Street, Oxford.