The NHS or National Health Service is the name used for the UK’s public health service. It was established in 1948 as one of the major social reforms decided after the Second World War. it was founded upon these main principles. That the services should be comprehensive, universal and free. UK residents are not charged for the treatment they receive. Citizens within the EU containing a European Heath Card can receive emergency treatment at no cost. Along with persons from countries with which the UK has reciprocal arrangements concerning health care.
Funding
The funding of the NHS comes 98.8 percent from general taxation and National Insurance contributions along with donations. The 2008/9 budget roughly equates to a contribution of £1,980 per person in the UK. When Launched the NHS budget was around £437 million however it received more than £100 billion in 2008/2009. 60 percent of the NHS budget is used to pay staff. With a further 20 percent paying for drugs and other supplies.
Emergency legislation aims to prioritise UK medical graduates for core and higher speciality training places from 2026, addressing training bottlenecks and workforce shortages.
New Nuffield Trust report shows 28% of UK GPs use ai tools in practice for documentation, admin, and development, but barriers like regulation, safety, and inequality remain.
The Falling through the GApp report by Kidney Care UK finds that many learn of chronic kidney disease via the NHS App, often without support, revealing a critical need for systemic reform.
The NHS will prioritise menopause and prostate problems in its new digital hospital service, giving patients faster access to specialist care via the NHS App and remote consultations when the service launches in 2027.
NICE recommends natalizumab, including a lower-cost biosimilar, as a new treatment for adults with highly active relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, expanding options for thousands of patients.
New Oxford University research reveals NHS England spends around 3% of its primary and secondary care budget, roughly £3 billion, on illnesses linked to extreme temperatures.
Hospitals across England are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence to reduce pressure on accident and emergency departments, helping patients receive faster care during one of the busiest times of the year.
As the NHS grapples with unprecedented demand, workforce pressures and growing elective backlogs, agentic automation is emerging as the key practical lever of choice.
New research from UCL reveals alarming levels of tooth decay in adults in England, highlighting the need for improved dental care and public health initiatives.
A new University of Bristol study finds nearly 1 in 5 NHS emergency department patients are treated in corridors or waiting rooms, highlighting severe overcrowding and mounting pressure.
Resident doctors in England are weighing a revised government proposal on training and job reforms as the British Medical Association consults members on whether to call off planned December strikes.
A new NHS partnership is exploring how artificial intelligence could transform mental health services, improve access to care, and reduce pressure on clinicians.
