National Health Service (England)
National Health Service (England)[edit | edit source]
The National Health Service (England) (NHS) is the publicly funded healthcare system in England, and one of the four National Health Service systems in the United Kingdom. It is the largest single-payer healthcare system in the world.
History[edit | edit source]
The NHS was established by the National Health Service Act 1946 that came into effect on 5 July 1948. The system was created by Aneurin Bevan, who was then the Secretary of State for Health, to provide healthcare services "free at the point of delivery" for all UK residents.
Structure[edit | edit source]
The NHS is primarily funded through general taxation. It provides healthcare to every legal resident in the UK, with most services free at the point of use. Some services, such as prescriptions and dental treatment, require a co-payment.
Services[edit | edit source]
The NHS provides a comprehensive range of health services, the vast majority of which are free for people ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom. Services provided by the NHS include primary care, in-patient care, long-term healthcare, ophthalmology, and dentistry.
Criticism and Controversy[edit | edit source]
The NHS has faced criticism for long waiting times, lack of services, and insufficient funding. However, it has also been praised for its efficiency and the quality of its services.
See Also[edit | edit source]
- Healthcare in the United Kingdom
- National Health Service (Scotland)
- National Health Service (Wales)
- National Health Service (Northern Ireland)
References[edit | edit source]
External Links[edit | edit source]
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