HEALTHCARE IN BRITAINBY SAMARTH BHADORIA (141607)

HIMANSHU CHANDEL(141610)AKSHAYA KUMAR(141633)

NIKKHIL OBLAPUR(141643)ANCHAL RAWAT(141655)

Origin of National Health Service (NHS)1940s: The British government felt that it was their

responsibility to look after the citizens1942: ‘The Beveridge Report’

Recommended that the government put an end to poverty, disease and unemployment

Aim: To help rebuild people’s lives after WWII Government thus created a welfare system for the

people of Britain

Origin of National Health Service (NHS)Welfare State

The government looks after the citizens from ‘cradle to grave’ E.g. (1) Maternity grant and allowance,

(2) Child benefits, (3) Supplementary benefits for the sick, injured

and unemployed, (4) Retirement pension and (5) Death grant

Origin of National Health Service (NHS)Ensure that every citizen has a minimum

standard of welfare for a decent life Job + Home + Healthcare

People of the country contribute to a national fund to help the needy people in their country

Origin of National Health Service (NHS)NHS

Started in 1948 – very popularProvide free healthcare for its people

People do not have to pay for the medical treatments that they receive when they are attended to by doctors at clinics and hospitals

E.g. All medical services, dental and optical treatments were free of charge

Origin of National Health Service (NHS)Impacts:

(1) Too many people wanted to use the free medical care(2) Doctors used or recommended medical treatment freely without much consideration for cost

1951: Medical treatment was no longer free E.g. NHS charge a small fee for medicine given to

patients E.g. Charge for dental treatment

Managing NHSManaging Government Spending

The money to pay for healthcare came from the people If healthcare costs increase, the government has to

collect more taxes to pay for healthcare and other expenditure

Government’s challenge: To control spending on healthcare

1980s:

Managing NHS1980s: Government under Margaret Thatcher

Cut back on government spending on welfare benefits such as healthcare

Wanted a system that would make the individual more responsible for his own healthcare and welfare Because the government was spending too much on

welfare benefits Impossible to remove free healthcare for the British

The NHS was the most important public good provided by the government

Managing NHS2000: Prime Minister Tony Blair promised the people that the government would increased public spending on healthcare and improve NHS Resulted in increase in the National insurance contribution in 2003

Managing NHSIncreasing Efficiency

1980s: Growing demand for healthcare for the elderly Slower population growth caused reduction in taxes

over time People also expect more and better treatments NHS had grown very large but insufficient resources

to cope with demand E.g. Insufficient doctors, nurses and facilities in

hospitals for surgeries

Managing NHSPrivatisation of NHS

Aims: (1) To reduce government subsidies(2) Save costs(3) Make NHS more efficient

E.g. Contract out non-medical services Impact: Allow hospitals to concentrate on providing medical services

Managing NHSImpacts:

(1) Private companies had to more efficient to make profits(2) Patients would have more choices (3) Hospitals would improve their services to meet the people’s needs(4) Brtish citizens encouraged to take responsibility for their own health(5) Medicine, dental treatment and services provided by opticians no longer free except for students under 19 years old, expectant mothers and mothers with children under 1 year old

Managing NHSProviding Quality Service

Late 1980s: People felt that NHS were of poor standard

1998: NHS focus on providing quality service for patients Impacts: (1) Patients were given information to help them decide on their own treatment and care(2) Wait a long time to receive medical treatment

Managing NHS 2 plans were introduced to deliver quality service

by putting the needs of the patients as top priority NHS Plan (2000)

Made changes based on feedback from staff, patients and all those involved in healthcare

Provided for increase in the amount of government spending till 2004

To work towards offering patients faster and more convenient services

Allow NHS to use facilities in private hospitals without having the patient pay for it

Managing NHSNHS Improvement Plan (2004)

Patients have the right to choose from 4 different healthcare providers

NHS pay for the treatment Every patient have access to their own personal HealthSpace on the Internet where they can view their care records

Managing NHSE.g. NHS Direct A service to provide medical advice over the phone to patients with minor illnesses

Impacts: (1) Save a visit to the doctor(2) Not strain the resources of the NHS with doctors having to attend to too many patients

Have British Healthcare Policies met the Needs of the People?

To a large extentThe intention of providing healthcare based on

need has remained unchanged since 1948Challenge: NHS has to ensure that resources are

best used to meet the needs of the people Involves the provision of funds and the

management of the NHSMany Britons are thankful for the NHS and feel

safe knowing that they can have medical services when they need them

Have British Healthcare Policies met the Needs of the People?

Doctors also feel that NHS has improved over the years

Others felt that there has been no real improvement

For the last 50 years, NHS has reformed to meet the changing needs of the people in healthcare