NHS – England is the largest and the oldest single-payer healthcare system in the
world. The idea of the NHS being free at the point of use is contained in its core principles from
the original NHS set-up, which are non-negotiable at their root but have variously been open to
some interpretation over the years.
Core principles of NHS states,
• That it meet the needs of everyone
• That it be free at the point of delivery
• That it be based on clinical need, not ability to pay
But patients have been charged for some services such as eye tests, dental care and prescriptions.
NHS services is being provided by,
• NHS acute trusts - administer hospitals, treatment centres and specialist care
in around 1,600 NHS hospitals
• NHS ambulance services trusts
• NHS care trusts, providing both health and social care services
• NHS mental health trusts, specialising in managing and treating mental
illness, including by the use of involuntary commitment powers
The NHS also plays a unique role in the training of new doctors in England, with approximately 8000 places for student doctors each year, all of which are attached to an NHS University
Hospital trust. After completing medical school, these new doctors must go on to complete a
two-year foundation training programme to become fully registered with the General Medical
Council
Health screening for over 40s: From 1 April 2008, everyone over 40 years old will be offered health checks for heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease under new government
plans. However, doctors currently reserve judgment on the effectiveness of the policy.
W.H.O performance list of other Interesting countries – 1 being the best.
In a very recent WHO publication UK came 18th place overall
1-France
3-SanMarino
5-Malta
7-Spain
9-Austria
18-UnintedKingdom
76-Srilanka
130-Russia
2-Italy
4-Andorra
6-Singapore
8-Oman
10-Japan
27-U.A.E
112-India
With best regards,
Courtesy Websites : WHO, Wikipedia, NHS secrets.com
Any Comments – [email protected]
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Roy Skaria