Natonal Health Service of the Uk

National Health Service of the UK

The National Health Service or NHS as it is more commonly known, was established throughout the United Kingdom on the 5th July 1948 and is recognized as one of the best health services in the world. Similar services operate in England and Wales, in Scotland and in Northern Ireland, but with administrative differences.

The NHS is funded by the taxpayer and managed by the Department of Health, which sets overall policy on health issues. It is the responsibility of the Department of Health to provide health services to the general public through the NHS. The Service consists of three main parts:

- hospital services

- family doctors, dentists, opticians and pharmacists

- a local health authority services, including community nursing and health visiting.

About 97 per cent of the whole population of Great Britain is using the Service. The great majority of specialists and general practitioners are taking part in the Service.

Just before the creation of the NHS, health care was a luxury not everyone could afford. Since 1948 there have been huge changes to both the organizational structure of the NHS and the way that patient services are provided. Now there are no forms to fill in and no payments to be made which are later refunded. All that everybody has to do is to register with a local NHS doctor. Most doctors in the country are General Practitioners (GPs) and they are at the heart of the system. A visit to the GP is the first step towards getting any kind of treatment. The GP then arranges for whatever tests, surgery, specialist consultation or medicine are considered necessary.

The professional attention of a family doctor is available to everyone. Patients may choose the doctor they wish, provided only that he may also change their doctor. The doctor has the same freedom to accept or refuse patients as he wishes. The idea of the family doctor with personal knowledge of the circumstances of his or her patients was...