Healthcare

 

Healthcare

Healthcare is essential to all human beings. Healthcare can be used when we are injured or just need a checkup. As an American, it is interesting to see how other countries manage the healthcare system. Different countries provide different healthcare, and we will examine how England’s healthcare works.

The healthcare system is provided through the National Health Service (NHS). The national health service is funded through taxation. According to an article from Expatica, in the United Kingdom, total healthcare expenditure amounted to £292 billion in 2023, representing 11% of the nation's GDP. This positions the UK as one of the highest spenders on healthcare globally. Everybody can access the healthcare system for free no matter what their background or circumstances.

               In England healthcare is free but not without cost. There are no upfront costs, but dental treatment charges range from £27.40 to £326.70. There is also an additional charge of £9.90 per prescription. However, this is not a big price to pay for the quality of healthcare received.

The healthcare system in England is incredibly good but there are still some problems. Many patients complain that the waiting times are too long. To get an appointment it can take weeks or even months to see a doctor. Some residents opt to get private healthcare insurance. Approximately 11.8% of United Kingdom residents are covered by private insurance through employers. The NHS healthcare is still available and free to them; however, private insurance gets people to see specialists quicker, reduces waiting times, better facilities, and even have their own hospital room. So, while there are some cons to this system, there are ways to make it better.

An expat is a person who lives outside their country of origin to attend school, work, or other personal circumstances. Healthcare is also free for expats in the UK; however, they must pay an annual health surcharge. For students and visa applicants under the age of eighteen the maximum they pay is £776 per year. For other visa applicants, they pay £1,035 per year.

Tourists and other visitors can also access healthcare for free. Emergency treatment, conditions caused by violence, family planning services, and infectious disease treatments are all covered for free, but any services further will have to be covered by health insurance. Visitors can also purchase an international healthcare plan for the time that they will be there.

The National Health Service also promotes long-term health. According to an article from the National Health Service, they promote living a healthy lifestyle focusing on prevention in smoking, obesity, alcohol and more. The NHS also has tobacco and alcohol dependency treatment programs and covers all the costs of those admitted to a physical or mental hospital. Mental health services are available 24/7 for individuals in crisis or those needing support.

While the United Kingdom’s healthcare is through the National Health Service, each country in the UK has its differences in healthcare. Based on an article from Faculty of Medicine, Scotland is presumed to be more patient oriented since they work with a smaller number of patients. They have a focus on preventative care and their healthcare system allows doctors to spend more time with their patients. Northern Ireland is known for their community-based healthcare system, but they also face some serious challenges. These challenges include staffing shortages and underfunding. The healthcare system is also intertwined with the political system. All the countries in the United Kingdom offer free healthcare and all provide free prescriptions apart from England.

There are many places to receive healthcare in London. Residents will find a general practitioner to see. There are also emergency services provided and many hospitals in the area. When I was at Harlaxton, there were signs in the women’s bathroom describing how to receive healthcare in Grantham. Emergency services were available, but it was noted that there would most likely be a waiting time. This highlights the issue of long wait times in England's healthcare system.

Overall, the United Kingdom has a strong healthcare plan. They offer a wide range of services including free emergency services. Prescriptions are free or cheap, private insurance is available but not necessary, and it is available to anyone in the United Kingdom no matter their background. Despite some frustrations, the United Kingdom has a strong healthcare system overall.

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