Healthcare
IT infrastructure varies widely in developed countries, as indeed does the
organisation and funding of various health
services. Overall, developing countries have populations that are ageing and
becoming more demanding. This, coupled with technological progress, pushes up
operational costs faster than the general growth in prices or even incomes. The
resulting cost-control pressures are one of the main drivers of IT expenditure.
Improving service is also important but is generally secondary.
The United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) is made up of four
constituent countries, namely: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The United Kingdom has been a member of the European Union since 1972. Members
of the European Parliament (MEPs) were elected on the basis of a proportional
system with party lists for the first time in 1999.The leading causes of death
in the United Kingdom are diseases of the circulatory system including both
cerebrovascular diseases and ischemic heart disease. Cancer accounts for over
200 deaths per 100 000 population and is followed by diseases of the
respiratory system, which account for about 110 deaths per 100 000 population.
Of cancer deaths the most common are from lung, breast, colorectal and prostate
cancer which together account for about 62 000 deaths each year.
The
National Health Service (NHS) came into operation in 1948 following the
provisions of the NHS Act of 1946. This Act was of crucial importance in establishing
the post-Second World War pattern of health service finance and provision in
the United Kingdom. It introduced the principle of collective responsibility by
the state for a comprehensive health service, which was to be available to the
entire population free at the point of use. Freedom from user charges was a key
feature of this approach which placed heavy emphasis on equality of access.
Some of the main elements of the present day organisational structure of the
NHS can be traced back to the major changes that were introduced through the
NHS Act of 1973.
Although
early policy on privatisation in relation to the NHS was restricted mainly to
contracting-out of ancillary services i.e. laundry, catering and cleaning, the
government’s belief in the superior efficiency of private sector practice led
to major changes in management arrangements. Public health medicine has a long
history in the United Kingdom. Its origins can be traced back to the middle of
the nineteenth century when the main Acts of Parliament concerning public
health issues were passed. A total of 17 pieces of legislation were passed
between 1848 and 1890, of which six affected the delivery of public health
services through administrative and structural changes. It was, however, the Public
Health Act of 1875 which represented landmark legislation. This consolidated
previous legislation, giving a clear account of the powers and responsibilities
of local sanitary authorities. It laid the foundations for modern public
health.
Many
successes were achieved by the turn of the century including improvements to
water supply and sewerage, street cleaning, working and living environments and
personal hygiene. The strong legislative framework combined with the growing
power and effectiveness of local Medical Officers of Health made a crucial
contribution to these improvements.
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For more
information about Healthcare in the UK, please visit www.yourworldhealthcare.co.uk
