The UK healthcare system: What foreigners need to know

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The UK's healthcare system, known as the National Health Service (NHS), is funded by taxpayers and provides free care to all patients, regardless of their income level. The NHS system was started after the Second World War. Many Brits prefer the NHS. However, the private insurance sector is also very developed in Great Britain. The customers in this sector are, for the most part, wealthy British people. The main advantage of the private sector is the absence of waiting lines and the faster provision of medical care. In recent years, there has been a very significant increase in the sale of private health insurance policies. Many expatriates have a question before moving: which policy to choose - public or private? How does the UK healthcare system work? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each type of insurance? Details in our material. Read the  UK's new immigration rules for international students here. European Health Insurance Card. Read here  how to get preferential medical care in EU countries. How to get a UK work visa:  types of permits and basic requirements . The National Health Service (NHS) in Great Britain Hospitals in Britain are run by NHS trusts - healthcare providers that are set up specifically to provide hospital and community services. In total, there are around 219 trusts in the country, each of which manages several hospitals. The first person you should contact if you are sick is a general practitioner (GP). According to statistics, there are 76 GPs per 100,000 people in Great Britain. After moving, the foreigner must find a general practitioner and register with him. The registration process can be carried out online, over the phone or in person.
  
After registering, you can make an appointment and receive the necessary medical care. If your GP decides you need help from a specialist specialist, they will issue an appropriate referral. If you need urgent medical assistance, call 111. Consultants will assess your symptoms and give instructions on what action to take. Typically, this is a trip to the emergency department (urgent care). The National Health Service provides complete medical care free of charge. However, foreign nationals from non-EU, EEA and Swiss countries must pay a mandatory healthcare surcharge of £470 per year to have the same access to the NHS as locals. What services do NHS patients receive? Consultations with a general practitioner. Ambulance. Childbirth. Sexual health and contraception. On the recommendation of a general practitioner, consultation and treatment popular database  by a specialized specialist. What should NHS patients pay extra for? Prescription medicines - a fixed cost of £9.65 per unit, regardless of the type or quantity of medicine. Dentists. Ophthalmologist and eyeglass manufacturing. What are the benefits of the NHS system? Comprehensive and free medical care. The National Health Service is based on the principle of equal access to medical care. From consultation with a general practitioner to specialist assistance - all services are free. What are the disadvantages of the SNS system? Long waiting times - it is quite rare to get an appointment with a GP on the same day. Even an ambulance worker sometimes has to wait for hours. It is difficult to monitor the state of health and carry out a routine medical examination - it is only possible to consult a specialist on the recommendation of a general practitioner. The selection of specialists is greatly reduced and treatment offerings are limited. The private healthcare sector in Great Britain The private healthcare sector includes clinics and hospitals run by charitable and non-profit organizations. There are a total of 515 hospitals in Great Britain, offering a wide range of world-class services and treatments. However, most of them do not have emergency, traumatology and intensive care services. The patient registers with a general practitioner and can make an appointment on the same day. Those who are willing to pay for the VIP package can count on additional services. In the private healthcare sector, the general practitioner can also refer the patient to a specialist. However, it is not necessary to obtain a referral to visit a specialist. You have the right to consult any specialist you wish. There are two ways to access the private healthcare sector: Pay for the consultation with your own money immediately after the medical consultation.




Through private health insurance purchased by you or your employer. The cost of services depends on the location of the hospital and the treatment prescribed. In general, the average cost of a medical consultation is between €40 and €200. What are the advantages of the private healthcare sector? Shorter waiting times for medical care - in the private healthcare system, you can see a general practitioner and/or a specialist on the same day you make your appointment. Better facilities - in most private clinics, conditions are much better than in national clinics, so visiting the doctor will be more comfortable. Greater freedom in making decisions regarding healthcare - You can also choose the specialist you want to consult without having to go to your family doctor. Furthermore, private hospitals can provide treatments that are not available on the NHS. This will allow you to better control your health. What are the disadvantages of the private healthcare sector? High cost - medical services are generally quite expensive. The amount you have to pay for medical care can be quite high, especially if you do not have an insurance policy. NHS vs Private Healthcare System Foreign nationals who have moved to the UK and paid the immigration fee for healthcare are entitled to access the NHS. However, many expatriates also choose to take out a private health plan. If, according to an analysis carried out by the Healthcare Quality Commission (CQC), the rating of medical services at the public hospital closest to you is not high enough, then you should consider turning to private medicine. Since lump sums are expensive, it makes sense to have a good health insurance plan. Health insurance in Great Britain The UK's main insurance companies are Allianz Care, Bupa Global and Cigna Global. The cost of the policy depends on the type of plan, coverage and other conditions.