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.
Dee Mathieson, Managing Director at Elekta Ltd, believes that NHS budgets need to directly address the cancer backlog - which remains the second largest cause of death, globally.
NHS GP and lead GP at Numan, Dr Luke Pratsides tells us everything he knows about the symptoms of long COVID and what’s being done to tackle this novel disease.
Mark Reynolds, Chief Technology Officer at NHS Digital, talks about the unique challenges brought about by the pandemic, and how using data innovatively with the Shielded Patient List and Population Risk Assessment helped to identify and protect some of the most vulnerable in society.
Lorna Green, Director of Enterprise and Growth, describes the role of the Innovation Agency and the AHSN Network across England and how health innovation is increasingly becoming integral to resolving the long-term challenges faced by the NHS.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has recommended that all 16 and 17-year-olds should receive their first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
According to The Guardian, the NHS is concerned that 170,000 Moderna jabs will expire soon - as vaccine take-up in the 18-25 year old bracket slows down.
Mike Hobby, Healthcare Transformation Partner, Checkit, explores how healthcare transformation can put a stop to staff burnout before it becomes a pandemic itself.
