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England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland each has a separate public healthcare system, established by separate pieces of legislation, that began operating on 5 July 1948. Though often collectively referred to as 'the' National Health Service, each system operates independently and is politically accountable to the relevant devolved administration for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and to the UK government for England.
The National Health Service (NHS) is the publicly funded healthcare system in England. The NHS provides healthcare to anyone normally resident in the UK with most services free at the point of use for the patient though there are charges associated with eye tests, dental care, prescriptions, and many aspects of personal care.
The NHS National End of Life Care Programme is funded by the Department of Health.
This document outlines the Government vision for the NHS in the next 5 years. It includes implementing the vision, the deal for patients and the public, the deal for NHS staff and how the system will support NHS staff and organisations to deliver.
(Department of Health, December 2009)
NHS Choices already provides an unprecedented wealth of information on the health and social care system. This vision describes how NHS Choices will change over the next months and years to give people much more information to help them make decisions about their care.
(National Health Service, 08 April 2008)
Subject to Parliamentary approval, all NHS bodies, and private and third-sector providers supplying NHS services in England will be required by law to take account of the Constitution in their decisions and actions. The Government will have a legal duty to renew the Constitution every 10 years. No Government will be able to change the Constitution, without the full involvement of staff, patients and the public.
(Department of Health, 21 January 2009)
‘Our NHS, our future’ is about giving you the opportunity to shape the vision for the NHS over the next decade by making sure it focuses on the things that really matter, and meets both rising expectations and the challenges it will face over that time.
(National Health Service)
