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British Culture Alphabet: N
5 years agoThe National Health Service or the NHS is the name given to the health care system in the UK which provides health services mostly at no charge. The NHS is mostly paid for by tax contributions as well as by National Insurance contributions.
The chief architect behind the NHS was a Labour Politician by the name of Aneurin Bevan. I’m particularly well acquainted with him as he was actually born in my town- a place called Tredegar!
As previously mentioned, not all things on the NHS are free. In the early 50s the Government introduced prescription charges for glasses and dental services. It’s the same today, you still have to pay for an eye test and glasses as well as treatment and a check up at the dentist.
The NHS is held in high regard by lots of people in the UK. It is something which is often a hot topic for politicians - particularly around election time. Health Services are now a devolved matter in the UK meaning that the National Governments of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland can make separate decisions on the laws pertaining to the Health Service. This means that it will cost someone in England £7 to get a prescription but will be free in Wales.
At the moment the NHS is under extreme pressure due to the Coronavirus outbreak. Doctors and Nurses are urging people to stay at home. Medical staff from a hospital in Belfast created a video to encourage the public to do their bit. See it here: https://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2020/mar/23/coronavirus-doctors-and-nurses-in-belfast-post-message-urging-public-to-stay-at-home-video
What's the health system like where you live?
