With the healthcare debate raging on in America, I thought it would be interesting to see how healthcare is handled in the U.K. The National Health Service known as the NHS was formed in 1948 at the end of World War II to replace a higgledy piggledy (hodgepodge) systems of volunteer hospitals which required government funding. Upon birth in the U.K. each citizen is registered with NHS number. Otherwise you would register with a local GP. You would then be given a 10-digit NHS number such as 444-555-6666, which will entitle you to all NHS services. If you aren’t born into the system, having "permanent resident status" will make you eligible. If you are a citizen of the European Union (EU) and hold a valid European Health Insurance card or are from another country which the UK has reciprocal arrangements concerning health care can get emergency treatment without charge. The US does not have this agreement. The NHS is funded solely by the British Taxpayer.
The NHS is also responsible for Dentistry and Eyecare. Charges for a dental examination are £18 ($29.21) for an examination; £49 ($79.52) for a filling or extraction; and £214m(347.33) for more complex procedures such as crowns, dentures or bridges. The current cost of a NHS sight test is £20.90($33.92) The maximum cost of receiving any drug from the NHS is £7.40 ($12.01). The tax to fund the NHS is taken out of your income tax.
Almost all hospital doctors and nurses are employed by the NHS and work in NHS run hospitals. Most General Practitioners, dentists, optometrists are self-employed and contract their services to the NHS. They own and operate their own surgeries (offices) and clinics and employ their own staff. The NHS pays 60% of its budget to pay staff, 20% goes for drugs and supplies. Another 20% pay for buildings, equipment and training. Administration costs are low due to the lack of billing required. The NHS also handles the training of student doctors and has approximately 8000 students a year, which are attached to a NHS University Hospital. After completing medical school the doctors must complete a two-year foundation training, usually at a NHS hospital.
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| The Royal Free Hospital, Hamstead, London |
The NHS is also responsible for Dentistry and Eyecare. Charges for a dental examination are £18 ($29.21) for an examination; £49 ($79.52) for a filling or extraction; and £214m(347.33) for more complex procedures such as crowns, dentures or bridges. The current cost of a NHS sight test is £20.90($33.92) The maximum cost of receiving any drug from the NHS is £7.40 ($12.01). The tax to fund the NHS is taken out of your income tax.
Tax Breakdown on a £25,500 Salary
- £2,080 Pensions and Benefits (including £212 on Housing Befit and £296 on Incapacity Benefits)
- £1,094 on NHS
- £824 on Education
- £339 on Defense
- £160 on Police
- £44 on Prisons
- £92 on Roads
- £71 on Railways
Almost all hospital doctors and nurses are employed by the NHS and work in NHS run hospitals. Most General Practitioners, dentists, optometrists are self-employed and contract their services to the NHS. They own and operate their own surgeries (offices) and clinics and employ their own staff. The NHS pays 60% of its budget to pay staff, 20% goes for drugs and supplies. Another 20% pay for buildings, equipment and training. Administration costs are low due to the lack of billing required. The NHS also handles the training of student doctors and has approximately 8000 students a year, which are attached to a NHS University Hospital. After completing medical school the doctors must complete a two-year foundation training, usually at a NHS hospital.
