Adv: affordable healthcare:

The United Kingdom provides public healthcare to all ordinary residence.

Study from Columbia university school of professional studies:

How: Healthcare coverage is free at the point of need, and is paid for by general taxation = about
18% of a citizen’s income tax, which is about 4.5% of the average citizen’s income.

1. Receiving the “free charges” in primary care services: are free regardless of nationality or
immigration status, and are free for visitors from overseas.
2. Receiving the “free charges” in secondary care services: you must be listed as an ordinary
residence:
a. living lawfully in UK on properly settled basis to be entitles to free healthcare
b. EEA is free, non-EEA have to be of immigration status of indefinite leave to remain,
both can be free for 6 months before needing to pay immigration health surcharge
for stays of more than 6 months

http://assets.ce.columbia.edu/pdf/actu/actu-uk.pdf

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-entitlements-migrant-health-guide#dental-treatment

https://www.themedicportal.com/application-guide/the-nhs/challenges-facing-the-nhs/
Problems:

Insufficient funding:

- Increase government funding: The government should allocate more resources to the NHS to
ensure it has the necessary funding to meet the growing demand for healthcare services.
- Explore alternative funding models: Consider innovative funding models, such as public-
private partnerships or social impact bonds, to supplement government funding and attract
additional investment into the healthcare system.
- Prioritize healthcare spending: Allocate funds strategically, focusing on areas with the
greatest need, such as primary care, mental health services, and preventive care.

Staff shortages:

- Increase recruitment and training: Implement targeted recruitment campaigns to attract

more individuals into healthcare professions. Invest in training programs and provide
incentives to encourage healthcare professionals to work in areas with the greatest
shortages.
- Improve working conditions: Enhance working conditions, including workload management,
flexible working arrangements, and career development opportunities, to attract and retain
healthcare professionals.
- Utilize technology: Leverage technology, such as telemedicine and remote monitoring, to
optimize the efficiency of healthcare professionals and alleviate some of the workload
pressures.
- Note: To address chronic staff shortages, the NHS has called for the government to double
the number of Medical School places by 2030. There are also requests to double the number
of adult nursing places by the end of the decade and to train thousands of new Doctors on-
the-job as apprentices.

The backlog:

- Increase capacity: Invest in additional resources, such as staff, equipment, and facilities, to
increase the capacity for delivering healthcare services and reduce the backlog.
- Prioritize urgent cases: Implement triage systems to prioritize patients based on the urgency
of their condition, ensuring that those in critical need receive timely care.
- Collaborate with private providers: Explore partnerships with private healthcare providers to
access additional capacity and resources to address the backlog.

An ageing population:

- Integrated care models: Develop integrated care models that bring together healthcare and
social care services to provide comprehensive and coordinated care for older adults.
- Invest in geriatric services: Increase investment in specialized geriatric services, including
geriatric assessment units, community-based care, and rehabilitation services, to meet the
unique needs of older adults.
- Promote healthy ageing: Implement preventive measures and health promotion campaigns
to support healthy ageing and reduce the burden of chronic diseases.

Evolving healthcare needs:

 - Embrace digital health technologies: Invest in digital health solutions, such as telehealth,
remote monitoring, and electronic health records, to improve access to care, enhance
efficiency, and empower patients to manage their health.
- Focus on preventive care: Shift the healthcare system’s focus towards preventive care,
including health education, screening programs, and early intervention, to reduce the
burden of chronic diseases and improve population health.
- Foster collaboration and innovation: Encourage collaboration between healthcare providers,
researchers, and industry stakeholders to drive innovation and adapt to evolving healthcare
needs. This can involve initiatives such as research partnerships, innovation hubs, and
funding for healthcare innovation projects.

Disadv: Expensive transportation

1. In 2022, average UK household spent the largest proportion of their expenditure on

transport (14%)
2. Exception of Ireland and London, UK public transport is privately owned and run on
commercial basis, free to charge whatever in order to make profit.
3. Government generally don’t subsidise cost of travel in the UK

The more expensive public transport, the more it costs workers to

get to their jobs. Overcrowding at peak times is also part of the
problem. Once the time arrives when workers cannot easily get to
their jobs it will be very damaging for the economy as well as for
the low income families who are trying their best to make a living.
In some areas high transport costs mean that for many people
choosing to live on state benefits is a better option than getting a
job that results in less money in the pay packet.

Whilst those who can afford to pay upfront for monthly passes on
the tube and the trains, lower paid workers cannot fork out the sum
required. They are therefore penalised by paying higher rates on a
daily basis. Bus tickets are not transferable and people who need to
take two or even three different buses can end up paying quite a
large proportion of their wages in travelling costs. Travel costs can
cause people on low incomes to resort to short term loans just to
keep afloat.