NHS Innovations North

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Background to the NHS

The UK's National Health Service was formed in 1948 and since that time has provided free healthcare at the point of use for all citizens. It has at its disposal a large diversity of health professionals, supports workers and organisations. In September 2003 approximately 1.3 million people were employed by the NHS (making it the largest employer in Europe) including 633,375 professionally qualified clinical staff, made up of:

Throughout its history, the NHS has been subject to many changes. In the last decade these changes have included:

The inception of the NHS Plan in July 2000. This is an action plan for the next ten years and details the way in which the government will increase funding to the NHS, improve service levels and the provision of National Service Frameworks.

In April 2001 the NHS Modernisation Agency was formed as a lead organisation to facilitate the reform of the NHS. In April 2002 28 Strategic Health Authorities were created - these support Primary Care Trusts and NHS Trusts in delivering the NHS Plan in their area.

In November 2002, the government's plan for the NHS 2003-2006 was published by the Department of Health called "Improvement, Expansion and Reform". This included national priorities and targets for the NHS. In June 2004, the Secretary of State for Health launched the NHS Improvement Plan. This highlighted work that had been carried since 2000.

In addition the private healthcare sector now has a role in both funding and supplying buildings and services for the public sector NHS. One other important change in the running of the NHS is that some decisions are now taken at a local level rather than a national one.

Secretary of State for Health [Top]
The NHS is paid for by the UK taxpayer, and as such it is accountable to the UK Parliament. The government minister responsible for the NHS in England is the Secretary of State for Health (currently Patricia Hewitt).

Department of Health [Top]
The NHS is managed by the Department of Health (DoH) who provide planning, regulation and inspection of the health service. They also set overall policy on health care issues.

Strategic Health Authorities [Top]
These are the link between the Department of Health and the NHS. They develop strategy and ensure that their local NHS organisations are effective and that they integrate national health priorities into their local health plans.