Social policy

Britain 's Social Policy

Principle Characteristics of the NHS

Britain 's National Health Service (NHS , set up by the Department of Heath in July 1848 as a healthcare provision , is based on its citizen 's needs not ability to pay . The Department of Health oversees the NHS with funds provided through taxpayers (History of the NHS , n .d

Launched as a single organization , the NHS was founded around 14 regional hospital boards in three segments consisting of hospital services family doctors , dentists , opticians and pharmacists and local authority health services , including

community nursing and health visiting (Ibid . As with any public service agency , changes are imminent . Since 1948 , the NHS has undergone major changes in the organizational structure of the agency and in the manner in which patient services are provided

While the NHS proved beneficial to Britain 's citizens , there remained negatives in the program . In spite of improvements and successes , the NHS food was still rationed , building materials were short , and there was a significant economic crisis and a shortage of fuel . In spite of efforts to improve conditions , the war created a housing crisis in addition to the post-war reconstruction of cities . The New Towns Act (1946 ) created major new centers of population , but each center was in need of health services

During the period from 1948 to 1957 (History of the NHS , the agency underwent administrative difficulties , financial problems , criticism over minimal fees charges to recipients (e .g . a flat rate of ?1 for ordinary dental treatment (Ibid , problems balancing all responsibilities and demands of the government and public , and maintaining medical professional and community health issues . By 1960 the NHS began to see positive changes . The introduction of improved drugs lead to better treatment to citizens . It was during this period that the polio vaccine was introduced along with dialysis for chronic renal failure and chemotherapy for certain cancers were developed (NHS , n .d . As time progressed , through 1967 , problems concerning doctor 's pay arose . However , some of the problems were resolved through the Royal Commission

Like the reformation in pay structures , improved management conditions also became a significant concern . In fact , the NHS introduced a Hospital Activity Analysis to enable medical professionals and managers better patient-based information (NHS , n .d . Furthermore , the 1960s brought about a change in segmentation as medical staff was divided into specialty groups , leading to additional criticism (e .g . the 1962 Porritt Report called for unification (NHS

Also launched in 1962 was Enoch Powell 's Hospital Plan , a ten-year program approving the development of district general hospitals for areas with populations of about 125 ,000 (NHS , advocating new postgraduate education centers , and giving nurses and doctors a better opportunity for education and future employment and stability . In 1967 recommendations for developing a senior nursing staff structure and moving forward with advancements in hospital management were made in the Salmon Report , while the Cogwheel Report marked the first report on the organization of doctors in hospitals

By 1968 , the NHS boasted...