The National Health Service Flashcards
(38 cards)
When was the NHS founded and under which government?
1948, under the reforming post war Labour government
What was the NHS designed to do?
To care for the sick and vulnerable from ‘cradle to grave’ as part of the welfare state.
What are the core principles of the NHS regarding access?
Universally available throughout the UK and ‘free at the point of need’ regardless of ability to pay.
When were charges first introduced for some NHS services and for what services?
1951, for prescriptions, spectacles and dentist visits.
What are the key pressures on the NHS in the modern UK?
An ageing population and the increasing cost of sophisticated medical techniques.
How much public money does NHS England receive a year?
About £200 billion
Approximately how many doctors, nurses and midwives are in NHS England?
140,000 doctors and 377,600 nurses and midwives.
What percentage of the UK’s GDP is health spending?
9.3%
How many people does the NHS employ and what does this make it in terms of largest employers?
1.3 million people, making it the largest employer in Europe and fourth largest in the world.
What was the main idea behind the Thatcher reforms of the NHS?
The introduction of the ‘internal market’ in the 1990 NHS and Community Care Act.
What are the main funding sources for the NHS?
80% from general taxation and 20% from NI contributions, land sales and charges to patients.
How many Integrated Care Systems are there?
42
Explain the concept of ‘purchasers’ and ‘providers’ in the NHS
Purchasers buy NHS services on behalf of patients and providers supply these services
What was the main focus of the Blair reforms regarding NHS funding?
Hugely increased funding for the NHS (from 6.7% of GDP to 9.7% in 2010)
What were the Primary Care Trusts and what did they do?
Established in 2002, PCT’s commissioned health care from the providers.
What key changes were introduced in the 2003 Health and Social Care Act?
Allowed PCTs to purchase care from private providers or even from abroad to reduce waiting lists
What was the main aim of the Cameron reforms?
To cut out the red tape and hand money directly from the government to GPs.
What did the 2012 Health and Social Care Act abolish and what was introduced?
Abolished PCTs and handed commissioning of health care to Clinical Commissioning Groups.
What happened to the NHS Trusts under the Cameron reforms?
All NHS Trusts became Foundation Trusts and were encouraged to become not for profit, mutual style companies.
What is the status of Foundation Hospitals within the NHS?
They are semi autonomous with a degree of independence.
What was the tendering process for NHS services like before the 2022 reforms?
NHS Trusts had to compete for business from the CCGs with any ‘qualified provider’ in the voluntary or private sector.
What was a key change introduced by the Health and Care Act 2022?
Abolition of Clinical Commissioning Groups.
What is the main principle behind the Health and Care Act 2022?
To support collaboration, rather than competition and to provide joined up services to improve health
What are Integrated Care Systems (ICS)?
Partnerships to bring providers and commissioners of health care together with local authorities to plan health care.
