The United Kingdom is home to one of the most esteemed & largest healthcare systems in the world. The UK has a public healthcare system as well as a private one. Their private healthcare sector, however, is relatively smaller than the public sector. This blog gives doctors around the world a short overview of the history of The National Health Service (NHS) and how to find a job and relocate to the UK.
The National Health Service (NHS) of the UK came into existence in the year 1948. It was founded with the aim of providing patients with a free, reliable, comprehensive healthcare solution that is accessible to all. Each region of the UK today, has its respective NHS body i.e. NHS Wales, NHS Scotland, and NHS Northern Ireland. The NHS currently employs over 1.7 million people in 350 different roles across 223 trusts in the UK.
However, the NHS was not as large as it is today. During the Second World War, an Emergency Hospital was created which later became the NHS. The NHS was founded on 5th July 1948. It was set up to provide people in the UK with a health service that was free and accessible to all. The NHS was the first healthcare system in the world that provided free healthcare services to its citizens on the basis of citizenship rather than fee payment or insurance.
The NHS brought together specialists, doctors, nurses, and hospitals under one roof. The biggest group of employees in the NHS workforce has always been its nurses. Their numbers have trebled over the years. Thus, reflecting on the advancement in medicine & increase in the demand for healthcare. This increased the government’s investment in healthcare over the years by millions. Today, 30p out of every £1 spent by taxpayers on services goes to healthcare.
The early years for the NHS were not easy, budgets had to be cut to keep up with the rising demand. This made the then ministers introduce prescription charges for spectacles & dental work. Today £8.80 are the prescription charges applicable only in England. However, in other parts of the UK such as Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland there are no prescription charges
The number of facilities provided by the NHS has grown over the years and its standard of treatment has become much more specialised to meet growing demand. The NHS is known today for its high-quality care & treatment of every patient.
Impact of the NHS on the nation’s health
Free vaccination for children
The NHS was not set up simply to treat illnesses but to also prevent illnesses thereby promoting good health. In the epidemic years (1950) the cases of polio would climb up to 8000+ but with the introduction of immunisation or vaccination, these numbers quickly dropped. Various vaccination programs have been introduced by the NHS to keep diseases at bay.
Improved infant mortality rates
The key influences on infant mortality are – sudden infant death syndrome, congenital anomalies, premature births, birth injuries, and maternal complications. The creation of the NHS has moved infant births from home to a medical environment, and the advancement of medicine has been hugely influential in improving infant mortality rates.
Longer life expectancy
Since the creation of the NHS, the life expectancy of people in the UK has almost doubled. With access to healthcare, people today live 13 years longer than they did 70 years ago. The results speak volumes of the work done by the NHS and its impact on the nation’s health.
How did the NHS combat Covid-19
Covid-19 presented itself with the biggest and the most substantial challenge to the NHS. Covid impacted the demand for quality patient care as well as the supply for care. To meet the rising demand, the NHS deployed artificial intelligence to speed up COVID-19 diagnosis, thereby leading to a quick treatment plan accompanied with a greater understanding of whether the patient may end up in a critical condition. Also, to increase the staffing capacity with the help of the UK government it accelerated the graduation of some nurses and invited many healthcare workers back from retirement.
During the pandemic, over half a million people were treated within the NHS with utmost efficiency with over 4,000 new Covid-19 patients admitted to the hospitals every day.
Where can I find more information about jobs at the NHS?
If you’re looking to relocate to the UK to work as an international doctor, please register your details with Remedium and upload your CV today.
We are delighted to offer opportunities to international candidates to come and work in the UK. We have supported thousands of doctors like you to make the move before. Our dedicated team of onboarding experts as well as our award-winning digital relocation software, Red Carpet, will help relieve the administrative burden. We can help you apply for your visa, secure flights, accommodation, set up a bank account, and much, much more.
We look forward to hearing from you.
