The NHS or National Health Service is the name used for the UK’s public health service. It was established in 1948 as one of the major social reforms decided after the Second World War. it was founded upon these main principles. That the services should be comprehensive, universal and free. UK residents are not charged for the treatment they receive. Citizens within the EU containing a European Heath Card can receive emergency treatment at no cost. Along with persons from countries with which the UK has reciprocal arrangements concerning health care.
Funding
The funding of the NHS comes 98.8 percent from general taxation and National Insurance contributions along with donations. The 2008/9 budget roughly equates to a contribution of £1,980 per person in the UK. When Launched the NHS budget was around £437 million however it received more than £100 billion in 2008/2009. 60 percent of the NHS budget is used to pay staff. With a further 20 percent paying for drugs and other supplies.
Jonty Fletcher from Synertec explores the critical role of interoperability in the NHS’s digital transformation efforts, highlighting that seamless communication between different digital systems is essential for enhancing smarter care for patients.
Amanda Pritchard has announced her resignation as chief executive of NHS England, a development that has sent shockwaves through the health service. What does this change mean for the NHS and the future of UK healthcare policy?
The University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (UHL) and University Hospitals of Northamptonshire NHS Trust (UHN) Group have used AI to become the first NHS organisation in England to join the European Trustworthy and Responsible AI Network (TRAIN).
The NHS is accelerating its digital transformation, driven by government targets and the need for efficiency. Funding gaps, legacy systems, and varying digital literacy pose significant challenges. A phased, people-centric approach to the NHS digital shift is crucial for sustainable change.
A new treatment option has become available for severe epilepsy: fenfluramine, which is now available on the NHS for children and adults living with Lennox–Gastaut syndrome (LGS).
According to the latest NHS England figures, a record number of women are up to date with their breast screenings. However, many of those invited are still not attending their appointments.
A new report has revealed that mental health patients across England are ready to be discharged but are unable to leave due to a severe shortage of supported housing.
The NHS Elective Reform Plan aims to tackle the 7.5 million waiting list backlog by introducing new surgical hubs and community diagnostic centres (CDCs). This article explores how offsite construction can provide a radical building approach to ensure the plan's success.
The UK Government has new plans for the New Hospital Programme to ensure that all hospital projects are delivered within a realistic, adequately funded, and achievable timeline.
Managing physical records is a significant expense for NHS Trusts in England. From March 2025, EDM Healthcare Consulting will kick off a six-month campaign aimed at raising awareness of how these records affect the digital transformation and spending of NHS organisations. Harry Pettet, EDM’s Managing Director and Lead Consultant, tells us more.
In 2024, healthcare systems in the UK and worldwide faced the perfect storm of ageing, demand, and burnout. As we enter 2025, these trends are likely to persist.
Following the CQC’s review of maternity services, Dr Rachael Grimaldi delves into the alarming normalisation of harm in maternity care and how communication barriers contribute significantly to this concerning issue.
