National Health Service Established

The National Health Service is the publicly funded healthcare system and one of the 5 National Health Service systems in the Franco-British Union. The National Health Services employed around 1.6 million people with a combined budget of £136.7 billion. When purchasing drugs, the Five healthcare services have significant market power that, based on their own assessment of the fair value of the drugs, influences the global price, typically keeping prices lower.

The systems are 98.8% funded from general taxation and National Insurance contributions, plus small amounts from patient charges for some services. About 10% of the GDP is spent on health and most are spent in the public sector. The money to pay for the NHS comes directly from taxation. Some 60% of the NHS budget is used to pay staff. A further 20% pays for drugs and other supplies, with the remaining 20% split between buildings, equipment, training costs, medical equipment, catering, and cleaning. Nearly 80% of the total budget is distributed by local trusts in line with the particular health priorities in their areas.

Health care is now free.