Healthcare in the UK is of a very high standard. The National Health Service (NHS) is highly regarded around the world and is a benchmark for many. We will tell you how it is organised and how it differs from the others in our review.
The United Kingdom consists of: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. All parts of the United Kingdom have their own NHS (National Health Service). Each NHS is divided into trusts, which include hospitals and clinics in that territory. The NHS operates independently and reports only to the national authorities of its own country.
Funding for healthcare in the UK comes from citizens’ taxes. The NHS is responsible for the activities of primary health care services, which include specialist doctors, dentists and pharmacists, and is overseen by the country’s main medical authority, the Department of Health. The local NHS units, which are responsible for the health care of the population of a certain region, are responsible for the activities of secondary health care services.
All public and private health services in Britain are paid for from the public purse. Local NHS organisations are responsible for:
Clinical Planned Care;
Rehabilitative Recovery;
Emergency;
Objects of medicine in different communities;
Mental Health;
Working with individuals with developmental delays.
All citizens are entitled to use the NHS. Those on a permanent residence permit also have full use of the NHS. As for foreigners, when applying for a visa, they need to pay an immigration health fee to use the health services.
While previously EU citizens with a health insurance card could enjoy free healthcare in the UK, this privilege became unavailable to them after the country left the EU.
To get access to the NHS you need to register with a general practitioner at one of the clinics in your local area. If you move, you will need to register again with a different GP in your new place of residence. You must also register separately for paid dental services.
Registration consists of completing the necessary GMS1 form. To prove your residential address, you will need to present your identity document and a document proving your residence at the address (e.g. utility bill) and a document proving your right of residence (visa). Once you have successfully registered, you will be issued with your personal NHS number.
General practitioners provide the necessary counselling for the patient during the illness and prescribe medication. If necessary, they refer patients to doctors of other specialities by writing a letter of recommendation. It is possible to make an appointment with the necessary specialist using the Internet, but it is also possible to see a doctor without an appointment.
In an emergency, if there is a need for urgent help, you can call a specific telephone number at the clinic or the emergency number 111.
The large flow of patients means that you must wait a long time for your turn. Some people do not get to see a doctor until they have waited six months. This is why people in the UK often go to private clinics where payment is made on a pay-as-you-go basis or buy private insurance.
In addition to the NHS, you can take out a private insurance policy. Some private companies have taken the initiative to automatically include a private insurance policy for employees as part of their social security package. It is also possible to take out a private insurance policy on your own for a one-off service, for specific medical care or surgery. The price will depend on the type of treatment. If you are not insured, an appointment with a private practitioner will cost more than £100.
There are some special features. For example, in case of illnesses and injuries caused by a suicide attempt, alcohol or drugs, the insurance does not cover medical expenses. This also applies to injuries and illnesses caused by unreasonable risks or if a person driving a car is injured by breaking traffic rules.
Dental services are provided within the framework of public health care. Free services are provided to children under 18 years of age and pregnant women. Minimal dental services are provided free of charge. More complex operations in this area are paid for by patients themselves.
For this purpose, Britain has created numbered dental packages. For example, package number 1 costs £23.80. It includes check-ups, tartar treatment and polishing. Package #2 costing £65.80 includes, along with the services in the first package, tooth fillings, treatments and extractions. Package 3, costing £282.80, avoids the separate costs of dental inlays, dentures and laboratory tests. There is also an emergency treatment package available at a cost of £23.80. This includes the cost of emergency treatment.
Private insurance usually does not cover dental services, or only covers minimal costs.
The NHS has support before, during and after childbirth. The list of free services includes: counselling by a women’s doctor, pregnancy monitoring, childbirth, treatment and infertility procedures.
Private clinics provide all services for a fee. Private insurance does not cover labour and delivery or IVF.
Drug outlets in Britain are located in the centre of towns and cities and near clinics and hospitals. You can also buy medicines in large supermarkets such as Boots and Tesco. There are some medicines that can only be sold on prescription.
Since 1951, England has had a standardised charge for prescription medicines. Today it is £9.90, but in Scotland the prescription charge has been abolished. You can also buy a Prepayment Certificate for a year and get your medicines as part of it.
Ambulance services are free. To call an ambulance, call 99. If the patient comes to a medical institution on his/her own, he/she is treated in the Intensive Care Unit, which operates without weekends and holidays. When the ambulance is called, the patient is assigned to the right department according to the disease.
NHS health services are paid for out of UK taxes. NHS services are free for residents of the UK. Tourist visa holders must pay for all medical services.
This reduces the time it takes to receive qualified medical care. Private insured people can also choose their own specialist.
As a rule, sick leaves are not issued if the illness lasted for 3-4 days. But if you have been ill for more than 7 days, you must present it to your employer. A sick leave is issued by the doctor who treated you if you were ill for more than three days.
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