1 Identify the threads through the service performance network captured by BUPA. In 1947 17 British provident associations joined together to provide high-quality private healthcare for the general public. The result was the British United Provident Association, or BUPA.

Over 50 years later, BUPA is still the UK’s leading independent healthcare organisation and is a major international organisation. It has nearly 4 million members in 180 countries worldwide, and has offices in Hong Kong, Ireland, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Thailand and the UK.

As a provident association, BUPA has no shareholders to pay. This means that any money it makes is invested back into the business. BUPA is best known for its private medical insurance; however, it now owns and operates many associated facilities. BUPA has 36 hospitals in the UK and one in Dublin, owns and runs 34 health-screening centres, operates 221 care homes and 54 retirement home developments, and runs home care and nursing services. BUPA also owns Sanitas, the leading private healthcare organisation in Spain. BUPA’s services also include travel, dental, disability and critical illness cover.