on the NHS waiting list. At the same time, we’ve added 4 more 100% payments and included 2 conditions which will pay out an additional payment amount should they be placed on an NHS waiting list. In February 2024, 305,050 people waited more than a year for their treatment on the NHS2. This change aims to provide crucial financial support when it's most needed. We understand the strain of waiting for treatment, and we believe our updated definitions will offer greater financial security during those difficult times. We’ve seen the tangible difference our cover upgrade promise has made. John (not his real name), who took his critical illness cover in July 2019. John's policy included a Parkinson's disease definition requiring permanent clinical impairment of motor function and both associated tremor and rigidity. Later that year, we updated this definition to require permanent clinical impairment, including either tremor or rigidity. In 2023, John was diagnosed with Parkinson's, experiencing tremor but not yet rigidity. Under his original policy, his claim might have been denied. However, thanks to our cover upgrade promise, we assessed his claim against the updated definition and John received a full payout. It might seem like a small change in the definition wording, but it made a big difference to John. It just goes to show the difference our cover upgrade promise can make. Next time you’re talking about critical illness cover with your clients, consider sharing the news of our cover upgrades and John’s story. It's a story of innovation, commitment to looking after our customers, and a genuine desire to protect the people who matter most. Find out more about our Critical Illness Protection here. Guardian Financial Services Limited is an appointed representative of Scottish Friendly Assurance Society Limited. All products are provided by Scottish Friendly. 1The Scientist, Artificial Organs: Innovating to Replace Donors and Dialysis, January 2023. 2The King’s Fund, Waiting times for elective (nonurgent) treatment: referral to treatment (RTT) May 2024 . 09 SUMMER PROTECT NEWSLETTER
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