National Health Service (NHS)

The NHS (National Health Service) in Great Britain has been in existence for more than 50 years. Since it was established in 1948, its guiding principle has remained equal treatment. Everybody in Great Britain is supposed to have access to the same medically necessary services – regardless of whether they are rich or poor. In this way, basic medical care is guaranteed for the whole population.

Doctors' treatment is free of charge and there are no practice fees or compulsory contributions to personal treatment fees. As a rule, drugs are subject to a prescription fee. However, for many it is a very simple matter to be granted exemption to prescription fees (for example for children and senior citizens), so that less than half of sick patients have to make those payments. Additional payments must also be made for dental treatment and spectacles.

Financing

More than 70% of NHS financing is sourced from tax income. A good 20% come from social-insurance contributions and a further 5% come from various fees which are levied. Great Britain's health system is therefore by and large a state system financed from taxes. Unfortunately it is becoming increasingly clear that this form of financing is not sufficient. In the 2005/2006 financial year there was an NHS deficit of 750 million Euros.

Reforms, cuts and the participation of private companies are now supposed to help restore the health system to financial viability. Incidentally, most British residents are satisfied with this type of health system. According to a survey (November 2005) conducted by CWF (Commonwealth Fund) and managed by the German institute for quality and economy in the health system (Institut für Qualität und Wirtschaftlichkeit im Gesundheitswesen - http://www.iqwig.de/hohes-qualitaetsniveau-im-deutschen.327.html), only 13% of people surveyed thought that it was necessary to make fundamental changes to the system.

Organisation of the NHS

The NHS consists of the following institutions and facilities:

- Department of Health

- Modernisation Agency

- National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE)

- Strategic Health Authorities- Special Health Authorities

- Primary Care Trusts (PCTs)- Secondary Care Trusts

- NHS direct

- Walk-in Centres

- Family health services

For further information you can contact the NHS UKat: http://www.nhs.uk/

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