Medicash scoops housing trust contract win

Leading healthcare cash plan provider Medicash has secured a contract with one of the North West's largest and award winning housing trusts.

Chester & District Housing Trust (CDHT) has signed an exclusive deal with Medicash to provide its 300 staff with a bespoke corporate health plan which will allow them to access a wide range of healthcare benefits.

CDHT owns and manages over 6,200 properties in and around Chester and is currently managing a range of regeneration projects totalling £30m.

Su Bramley, deputy chief executive of CDHT said: "Medicash has worked with us to come up with a comprehensive package specifically designed to meet our needs. We are committed to investing in our staff and ensuring they feel valued. The Medicash plan gives people real peace of mind and really complements our longer term HR strategies."

CDHT has recently celebrated achieving its highest ranking in The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies 2010 after coming in 47th on the list. Employee wellbeing is one of the areas contending organisations are evaluated on and following feedback from staff CDHT wanted to improve healthcare for the workforce.

Medicash chief executive Sue Weir with Su Bramley, deputy chief executive of CDHT

In addition to implementing the Medicash healthcare cash plan, CDHT promotes a work-life balance policy which includes opportunities to work from home and flexible or term-time hours. A health clinic is held four times a year and an occupational health unit is onsite once a month, while the last staff conference was themed around colleagues' wellbeing. Maternity benefits have also been enhanced. CDHT appears on the Top 100 list for the third year running and has also attained two star 'outstanding' status for its continuous improvements.

Medicash was awarded the business after a rigorous tender process. Chief executive Sue Weir said: "CDHT is a shining example of a company that takes its CSR responsibilities seriously and this is reflected in the outstanding result they have achieved in The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies list.

"The plans we've devised allow employees to claim back costs of day to day healthcare encouraging employees to take a preventative approach to looking after their health. They also give staff access to a range of specialist services as well. We are seeing an increase in the number of employers coming to us to deliver solutions that enable them to take the best care of their workforce and are delighted to be working with CDHT."