National Health Service
Template:Stub The National Health Service (NHS) is the United Kingdom's socialized healthcare system. It was established in 1948 as part of the socialist program of Clement Attlee's post-World War II Labour government, and has been supported by politicians of every party since then.
The NHS is nominally funded out of National Insurance contributions, a form of personal taxation in the United Kingdom comparable to the US Social Security system, funding social welfare such as the National Health Service, social security, and the state pension. It is, in theory, entirely separate in operation from income tax. [1] NHS treatment is available to all residents of the UK. Most services, including complex and expensive surgical procedures and drugs, are free at the point of use, and those that are not (such as the provision of glasses and dental care) are free to people on low incomes. This ensures that everyone is able to be treated, no matter what their individual wealth or means may be. [2] Private doctors and hospitals do exist in Britain, but fewer than 10% of Britons choose to buy private health insurance in preference to using the NHS.
As a result of its comprehensive coverage, the resources of the NHS have been consistently tightly stretched for many years, leading to consequences such as lengthy waiting lists for surgery. This was the case in the 1980s and 1990s in particular. Since 1997, the NHS has benefited from substantially increased spending under Tony Blair, but there is a perception among many in Britain that the extra money has not been well spent or delivered appropriate improvements.
The NHS is supported by politicians of all parties in the UK. The Conservative leader David Cameron has spoken warmly in its support.
