History of Westfield

Following the first world war, Sheffield’s voluntary hospitals found themselves facing a grave financial crisis: they were in debt, with no prospect of affording modernisation or of purchasing new equipment.  Medical staff suggested a joint council be established, so that everyone concerned could work together to tackle the problems facing the hospitals and the community.

As a result of this, the Sheffield Hospitals Council was formed in 1919.  The concept was for workers to contribute a penny in every pound they earned each week and in return they could receive treatment at any voluntary hospital in Sheffield. 

Evolving and growing over the years into Westfield Health, we have become one of the most successful and secure health insurers in the UK with almost 90 years’ experience and over a third of a million policyholders throughout the UK now enjoying cover with us.