Money Nous: A medical insurer that cares

JOHN Frazer-Robinson of Dorset would like to give a big pat on the back to OHRA, the medical fees insurer.

Mr Frazer-Robinson and his wife, Julie, took out a policy with OHRA about four years ago. Mrs Frazer-Robinson has subsequently become terminally ill with a brain tumour.

Her treatment included 30 minutes of radiotherapy every day. She spends the rest of the day in her private hospital room.

Christmas 1993 was looming and she desperately wanted to spend more time at home.

If she was to go home, she would need to travel to the hospital every day by private ambulance.

Mr Frazer-Robinson explained to OHRA that his wife would like to go home, but he fully realised that their insurance did not cover the pounds 90 a day cost of a private ambulance. Mr Frazer-Robinson says: 'OHRA showed a genuine interest in what was best for my wife. We were absolutely delighted at their response. There were about 20 round trips by ambulance.

'In fact we have been delighted with OHRA. All the bills have been paid promptly, and the policy was very competitively priced.'

David Potter, a spokesman for OHRA said: 'We tried to do what was best for this lady. However, it was eminently sensible for us to make the ex- gratia payment for the ambulance. It was after all cheaper than her staying in hospital.'