A Poole-based insurance provider has been named ‘Best Individual Healthcare Provider’ at the UK Health & Protection Awards.

Freedom Health Insurance received the award at a black-tie gala dinner hosted by comedian Dara Ó Briain at London’s Hilton Bankside.

The awards are held annually to celebrate the best in the insurance and protection industry.

Other winners on the night included BUPA, Zurich, Canada Life and AXA Health.

Alistair Sclare, pictured left, Managing Director, Freedom Health Insurance, said: “We want to thank our team for working tirelessly to make sure we uphold our high standard of customer service.

“This award is a recognition of their incredible effort throughout the pandemic.

“We would also like to thank all our clients and brokers for your continuous support.

“We will continue to work hard to support you, and we don’t intend to stop here.

“We have big plans for the future, and we will be making further improvements to our products and service over the coming months.”

The award follows a challenging period for Freedom Health Insurance, which was founded in 2003 and is a private medical insurance (PMI) provider.

At the start of the pandemic last year the insurance provider introduced a free virtual GP service, GP24, available to all UK customers at no extra cost and with no usage limit.

It was launched at a time when many were worried about visiting GP practices and hospitals, and, due to Covid restrictions, appointments were often difficult to get.

The service was further enhanced this year through the launch of a new web app.

The app allows Freedom clients to book online GP appointments and get online referrals to therapists, consultants or for further diagnostic tests.

2021 also saw Freedom Health Insurance provide Freedom Elite customers on its standard hospital list with access, at no extra cost, to additional hospitals throughout the UK.

Many hospitals, previously only accessible through the more expensive London Plus hospital list extension, were included.

Freedom Health Insurance, which is a trading name of Freedom Healthnet Ltd, is based at County Gates House in Poole Road, Poole.