The document provides information about the UK's National Health Service (NHS). It explains that the NHS was founded in 1948 and provides mostly free healthcare that is paid for through taxes. Around 20% of government spending goes towards healthcare. While most medical treatment through the NHS is free, prescription medications require a fee of £9 per item, though some people are exempt from paying. The NHS performs over 10 million operations annually in England and handles over 1 million non-emergency phone calls and 2.1 million accident and emergency visits each month. It is the largest employer in the UK.

1. What is
the NHS?
#1

2. The
National
Healthcare
Service in
the UK.
Marbury/ Shutterstock.com

3. When was the
NHS founded?
#2

4. 1948.

5. Is medical treatment
free in the UK?
#3

6. Yes and no.
Everyone paying taxes
in the UK contributes
towards the cost of the
NHS. You will not need to
pay to go to the hospital or
see a doctor but you may
need to pay for your
prescription (the medicine
you are given).

7. What percentage
of government spending
goes towards healthcare?
#4

8. 20%
(12% is spent on
education, 2% on
the environment).
chrisdorney/ Shutterstock.com

9. How much does a
prescription cost?
#5

10. £9 per item.
Some medicines are free
for everyone and some
people don't pay for any
prescriptions.
For example, you don't have
to pay for prescriptions if:
• You are under 16 (or under
18 and in full-time education)
• You are over 60-years-old
• You are on a low income
• You have an ongoing
medical condition

11. How many operations
are carried out by the NHS
in England each year?
#6

12. Over 10 million
operations are
performed each
year in England.

13. In January 2020, how
many visits were made
to A&E (accident and
emergency) in England?
#7

14. 2.1
million.
Imran's Photography / Shutterstock.com

15. How many calls do NHS 111
(the non-emergency
telephone service)
handle every month?
#8

16. Over
1 million.

17. Do you have to
use the NHS?
#9

18. No.
Private
companies
provide
healthcare too.
Patients have
to pay for this.

19. How many people
work for the NHS?
#10

20. About 1.5
million people.
It’s the country’s
biggest employer and
one of the biggest
employers in the world!

21. Are British people
proud of the NHS?
#11

22. Brandon Stivers / Shutterstock.com
Yes.
In public opinion polls,
the NHS is often
reported as the top
thing that makes people
proud to be British.
This was shown in the
2012 Olympics opening
ceremony, where a
section was devoted to
celebrating the NHS.