THE BENENDEN HOSPITAL TRUST

Overview

The Benenden Hospital Trust is a UK charity with the principal objective of relieving hardship caused by sickness, infirmity, disability, or any medical condition. It achieves this through the provision of surgical and medical treatment along with nursing care.

History

The origins of the trust's activities date back to the early 20th century when Benenden Hospital was opened in 1907 by the National Association for the Establishment and Maintenance of Sanatoria to treat postal workers suffering from tuberculosis[5]. Over time, the hospital expanded its services to include treatment for chest complaints and cancer. Today, it operates as a subsidiary of Benenden Health, offering a wide range of specialties and maintaining charitable status to support its mission[5].

Activities

The Benenden Hospital Trust is the main provider of medical treatment to members and nominees of Benenden Health. It focuses on providing high-quality healthcare services to individuals who need them. In recent years, the charity has significantly invested in charitable expenditure, with over £48.9 million spent on beneficiary care[2].

Governance and Operations

The trust is overseen by a board of six trustees and employs a substantial workforce, including over 450 employees and a small number of volunteers[2]. The charity does not rely on fundraising events but instead manages its resources efficiently to support current and future beneficiaries[2].

Affiliations

Benenden Hospital Trust is closely associated with Benenden Health, a mutual organization that provides affordable private healthcare services. The hospital accepts both private patients and those from the National Health Service (NHS), enhancing its role in the UK healthcare system[3][4].

Other Charitable Initiatives

Benenden Health also operates the Benenden Charitable Trust, which supports members facing financial hardship due to health issues. This includes assistance with medical treatments not covered by the NHS, specialist equipment, home adaptations, and more[1][3].

[1] https://www.benenden.co.uk/about-benenden/charitable-trust/ [2] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/3945566 [3] https://www.benenden.co.uk/about-benenden/our-organisations/ [4] https://www.benendenhospital.org.uk [5] https://www.benendenhospital.org.uk/about-us/our-history/