NHS
NHS (National Health Service)
NHS (pronounced en-aitch-ess), an acronym for the National Health Service, is the publicly funded healthcare system in the United Kingdom.
Pronunciation
- UK: /ˌen.eɪtʃˈes/
- US: /ˌɛn.eɪtʃˈɛs/
Etymology
The term "NHS" is an initialism derived from the first letters of the words in the phrase "National Health Service". The National Health Service was established in 1948, following the passing of the National Health Service Act 1946.
Definition
The NHS provides a comprehensive range of health services, the vast majority of which are free at the point of use for people legally resident in the United Kingdom.
Related Terms
- Public Health: The science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals.
- Healthcare System: The organization of people, institutions, and resources that deliver health care services to meet the health needs of target populations.
- Universal Healthcare: A health care system in which all residents of a particular country or region are assured access to health care.
- Primary Care: Health care provided by a medical professional with whom a patient has initial contact and by whom the patient may be referred to a specialist. Often a general practitioner.
- Secondary Care: Health care services provided by medical specialists and other health professionals who generally do not have first contact with patients, for example, cardiologists, urologists and dermatologists.
- Tertiary Care: Specialized consultative health care, usually for inpatients and on referral from a primary or secondary health professional, in a facility that has personnel and facilities for advanced medical investigation and treatment, such as a tertiary referral hospital.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on NHS
- Wikipedia's article - NHS
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