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.
A Royal College of Physicians survey finds 59% of UK doctors delivered care in temporary spaces during summer 2025, highlighting that NHS corridor care is now a year-round issue.
The NHS introduces online GP appointment requests across England from 1 October 2025, helping patients book care quickly while reducing pressure on phone lines.
The NHS is rolling out its first virtual hospital, using the NHS App to connect patients with specialists, AI-powered triage, and faster access to tests.
A UCL-led study reveals that over 1.3 million people were referred to social prescribing services by GPs in 2023, surpassing the NHS’s five-year target.
New Nuffield Trust research shows significant regional variation in NHS Continuing Healthcare, with access and funding often depending on where patients live, highlighting a postcode lottery in care provision.
NHS England initiated a ‘financial reset’ for 2025/26, expecting Trusts to improve productivity by 4%, operate within reduced budgets, and provide evidence of control. Gareth Jenkins from Changeology Group Ltd outlines how the company can help achieve these goals.
UKRI-funded researchers are using AI and Xenon gas imaging to make MRI scans faster, cheaper, and more accurate, improving lung disease diagnosis across the NHS.
