The National Health Service (NHS) was set up in 1948 and although it is regarded as one of the best health services in the world by the World Health Organisation, it is generally recognised that there need to be certain improvements in the system. To achieve this, changes have been made to the structure of the NHS to ensure that patients always come first. Some of the services which the NHS provides are as follows:

Primary Care (first point of contact for patients)

			Pharmacists can advise on minor medical conditions (such as skin allergies), some can offer repeat prescriptions, or prescribe medicine and some offer tests to monitor conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Advice from pharmacists is free but unless you are exempt you will have to pay a charge for prescriptions. In Wales, however, prescription charges have been abolished.
			Opticians carry out eye and sight examinations. Unless you are entitled to a free eye test (for example if you are under 18, have diabetes or glaucoma, or are claiming certain benefits), you will have to pay for these services.
			Dentists offer routine and specialist care for teeth and gums. Most dental practices take a mixture of NHS and private patients. Even if you are registered as an NHS patient, you will still have to pay some charges for dental treatment unless you are exempt from charges (for example if you are under 18, if you are pregnant or have had a baby in the past 12 months, or if you are claiming certain benefits).
			Doctors / General Practitioners (GPs) are local doctors who deal with the health of the local community. They normally work in ‘Doctor surgeries’ (GP practices), with other doctors, nurses, health visitors and midwives, and visits to the surgery are free to all UK residents. The GP practice is often the first point of entry for a patient, and if a GP cannot deal with your problem they will refer you to a specialist or to hospital. You need to register with a GP in order to receive care, and will be required to undergo a brief medical examination upon registration.
			NHS walk-in centres give quick and easy access to care for minor injuries and complaints, and are often open outside normal surgery hours. You don’t need to make an appointment or register to receive care at a walk-in centre, and treatment is free to all UK residents.
			NHS Direct is a telephone and online service giving advice on health issues. It can help you to decide if you need to see a doctor and give you advice about staying healthy. The website also has information on various health issues in several different languages, including Arabic, Bengali, French, Gujarati, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Somali, Spanish, Turkish and Urdu.
			Emergency and Urgent Care includes out of hours services, ambulance services and Accident and Emergency services. In a medical emergency you should call either 999 or 112.

Secondary Care

			Ambulance Trusts. Ambulance services respond to emergencies and are responsible for providing first aid and transport to hospital.
			NHS Trusts. Hospitals are managed by NHS trusts. Except in emergencies, hospital treatment is arranged through a GP, who will give you a referral for a particular condition. Appointments and treatment at NHS hospitals are free to UK residents.
			Mental Health Trusts. These provide specialist care for people with mental health problems, including psychological therapy and specialist medical services.
			Care Trusts. These coordinate health care and social services care.

To find out more about the NHS and the services it provides, visit the NHS websites for England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.