The NHS and Private Healthcare

Abstract

The National Health Service was founded in 1948 to provide free healthcare to all citizens, with the anticipation that this would improve the general health of the population, and thus ultimately reduce the cost of ill health on the economy. Unfortunately, healthcare costs have risen continually since the inception of the NHS due to an ageing population, increasing public expectations of the health service and advances in medical technology resulting in increasingly costly interventions. Despite continually rising costs and changes to the structure and management of the NHS, it remains a successful and effective system of healthcare.