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.
NHS England initiated a ‘financial reset’ for 2025/26, expecting Trusts to improve productivity by 4%, operate within reduced budgets, and provide evidence of control. Gareth Jenkins from Changeology Group Ltd outlines how the company can help achieve these goals.
As Chief Scientific Officer at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Professor David Brettle, is responsible for delivering transformational healthcare technologies to ensure staff can work effectively in data-driven, digital hospitals.
Professor Sultan Mahmud, Director of Healthcare at BT explores the latest virtual care NHS strategy, which BT is helping to deliver safely with the adoption of virtual wards.
AI in the NHS: The UK's national health service is to deploy AI with £21M investment, accelerating diagnoses for cancers, strokes, and heart conditions, revolutionising patient care.
Innovation for new healthcare technology has been funded toward treatments for Alzheimer’s, cancer and more, with support going to digital hubs and technology-assisted surgery.
The NHS is aiming to become the world’s first net-zero health service by 2040, through reducing the harmful gases it puts into the atmosphere, decarbonising the NHS Estate and reaching an 80% reduction in carbon emissions by 2028 to 2032.
Only one in five NHS Trusts in England provide active bystander training to address workplace harassment – including measures against sexual harassment.
