1. When was the National Health Service created and what kinds of service does it provide to the UK citizens?
The National Health Service is the collective name given to the four public health services of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. In 1948 the National Health Service was established. It was provide health care for all citizens, based on need, not the ability to pay.
2. What way is the NHS funded and managed?
The NHS is funded by the taxpayer and managed by a government department, the Department of Health, which sets overall policy on health issues.
3. Speak on the social protection of patient before the creation of NHS if it existed.
Before the National Health Service was created in 1948, patients were generally required to pay for their health care. Free treatment had been sometimes available from teaching hospitals and charity hospitals. In 1911 the National Insurance Act granted all workers of 16 years or over free medical coverage as well as unemployment benefits.
4. What kinds of health care are charged for? Is any kind of service free of charge? Analyze the drug expenses coverage.
Ambulance services, mental health, and ancillary services such as physical and occupational therapy, in-home and in-clinic nursing, and certain care for the sick elderly in nursing homes are free of charge. They are financed from the NHS budget. In general, these and other types of health services can be charged.
Patients in England of working age pay a fixed price (presently £ 7) for each drug prescribed regardless of the amount of drug prescribed or the cost to the pharmacy. The pharmacy invoices the cost of the drugs to the NHS. Patients under 16 years old (19 years if still in fulltime education) or over 59 years will get the drug for free.
5. What are the components of the NHS? Describe the functioning and responsibilities of each component.
The core component of health service is the General Practitioners. GPs are mostly private doctors that choose to contract with the NHS to provide services to patients. GPs can refer their patients to a hospital for more specialized services and for surgery. GP referrals are needed to see any hospital specialist.
Other components of NHS are ambulance services, mental health, and ancillary services such as physical and occupational therapy, in-home and in-clinic nursing, and certain care for the sick elderly in nursing homes.