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.
The NHS 10-Year Plan aims to reduce administrative burdens on healthcare professionals with AI medical scribes. Heidi Health’s AI scribe supports over 1.5 million NHS appointments monthly and integrates with clinical systems, allowing clinicians to focus on patient care.
In recognition of International Day of Sign Languages, Clare Vale, managing director at Sign Solutions, highlights the importance of having on demand interpreters for deaf people in healthcare settings.
Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, Digital Healthcare Council members have mobilised at an unprecedented scale to support the NHS and social care, and its director, Graham Kendall, outlines here what has worked, and what needs to change.
Craig Hartley, UK Business Development Manager for OPEX Business Machines GmbH explains how their solutions are helping both the NHS and the wider Public Sector achieve digital transformation.
Max Parmentier, CEO of Birdie, believes that the social care 'reform' of scaling the current system 'from the 80s' is not enough and will only exacerbate its faults.
Jem Rashbass, NHS Digital’s Executive Director for Data and Analytical Services, provides a fascinating insight into the crucial role of data to enable us to work at speed during a global pandemic.
Peter Walker, CTO EMEA at Blue Prism, discusses how intelligent automation is being used by the NHS to streamline operations and improve patient outcomes, particularly in light of the COVID-19 crisis.
Mr Romesh Angunawela, Founding Partner, Ophthalmic Consultants of London, enlightens us on the role of technology in ophthalmology as part of the NHS’s efforts to tackle the COVID backlog.
AJ Thompson, CCO at Northdoor plc, highlights the need for NHS Trusts to demonstrate GDPR compliance and protect its infrastructure ahead of the new Data Protection and Security Toolkit (DPST) deadline.
