Does the UK Have Free Health Care?
The United Kingdom provides universal health care that is publicly funded. While its healthcare system has experienced both growth and austerity, it remains one of the top healthcare systems in Europe in terms of coverage and quality of care. Most residents are covered under the National Health Service (NHS), although certain services such as eye exams or dental visits incur charges. Many people also opt to purchase private health insurance which can give faster access to specialists or better facilities; many UK employers provide tax-only healthcare plans as part of employee benefits packages or individuals can buy individual policies themselves.
As well as general hospital services, the NHS also offers health clinics operated by community groups and local charities that can treat minor illnesses and injuries, including infections, rashes, fractures, stitching wounds, vomiting and diarrhea issues as well as mental healthcare and obstetric care services.
People requiring more specialized treatment can access hospitals across the UK that specialize in specific conditions like heart disease or diabetes. These hospitals may be private facilities that charge for services, often require referral from a GP or health professional and usually charge accordingly; alternatively, emergency healthcare can be reached via calling 999 or visiting an A&E department of any hospital.
Recently, there have been multiple marches across the UK to “Save the NHS”, while President Trump has criticised it as broken. Yet government expenditure on healthcare totals over 80% of total spending; with all residents who meet eligibility criteria being covered by it (such as children and adults).
These include British citizens and people granted indefinite leave to remain, along with ex-pats legally resident in the UK. When applying for visas or immigration into Britain, an Immigration Health Surcharge must be paid; visitors from Commonwealth countries may have limited healthcare coverage via European Health Insurance Cards.
Although the NHS provides high quality care, it is not free. Although funded largely through taxes, fees associated with private healthcare tend to be higher than in other countries and waiting times for some treatments can be prolonged. Many UK residents – including self-employed workers – opt for private healthcare so as to access services faster without long waitlists; an estimated annual cost for such in the UK stands at approximately PS6,400 per person which significantly outstrips that found in Spain or Italy (considered similar or superior medical systems than that found here).