The National Health Service (NHS) was created in 1948. It was created to provide health care services to the citizens. Before its creation, residents had to pay for their health care. The driving force behind its creation was the feeling that residents have a right to good health care and that it should be available to all people regardless of their wealth or social class. It was based on three core principles; that it meets the needs of all people, it is free at the point of delivery, and that it is based on clinical needs and not the ability to pay (Nhs.uk).
Funding
The National Health Service is funded from general taxation. Some funds also comes from contributions from the National Insurance. However, small amounts come from patient charges for services like prescriptions, dental, and optical care (Nhs.uk).
Services Provided By NHS
NHS provides a wide range of health services most of which are free for the residents. The health care services provided include primary care, in-patient care, long-term health care, ophthalmology, and dentistry. It provides emergency and urgent care, general practitioners, and dental services (Nhs.uk). Despite most of the services being offered freely, some have to be paid for. They include prescription charges, dental treatment, and eye tests. However, some people are entitled to free NHS eye checkups; same for the dental treatment. These services are offered to legal residents and legal migrants who are fully registered with NHS (have an NHS number). Visitors are eligible for emergency services and treatment of diseases deemed to be infectious.
Changes in Recent Years
There has been a drop in the number of smokers and heavy drinkers. According to a report by the General Lifestyle Survey in 2011, it was revealed that the number of smokers has dropped, there are few frequent and heavy drinkers, and that there are more chronically ill and disabled people. For instance, alcohol consumption in young people (18-24) has reduced with older people reported to be heavy drinkers (Nhs.uk). With the need for leading a healthy life style, most people (mostly women) are reported to be eating a healthy diet and exercising. It is an effort to reduce cases of obesity or being overweight.
Cancer, heart disease, stroke, respiratory disease, and liver disease are the major causes of death, most of which are premature deaths (before the age of 75). Majority of the deaths are contributed by unhealthy lifestyles, such as poor diets, heavy drinking, and smoking. Death has also been related to gender, social class, and geographical locations. Chances of premature death are likely to be high in male, especially the middle-aged and working ones. The poor are also thought to have a low life expectancy. With reduced drinking and smoking, and increased effort of preventing death causing factors (such as screening for cancer), premature deaths are expected to reduce over time.
Welfare Benefits Provided in Britain
Some of the benefits provided in Britain include benefits for families, disability benefits, child benefits, job seekers allowance, and low income benefits. Under the family benefits, there is the child trust fund, childcare, and the sure start maternity grant. Others include the disability living allowance, carer’s allowance, and employment and support allowance. Some payments are also made to the widowed parent upon death of their spouse; bereavement and funeral payment. Some support services are also offered to military and defense workers and their families. Most of the benefits are offered to families in an effort to improve their welfare in terms of their living conditions (Gov.uk).
Works Cited
Gov.uk. "Benefits Entitlement - GOV.UK". Gov.uk. N.p., 2016. Web. 15 June 2016.
Nhs.uk. "NHS Services Explained - The NHS In England - NHS Choices". Nhs.uk. N.p., 2016. Web. 15 June 2016.
Nhs.uk. "Smoking And Drinking Down Survey Reveals". Nhs.uk. N.p., 2013. Web. 15 June 2016.
