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The National Health Service

The NHS was set up in 1948 and is now the largest organisation in Europe and is recognised as one of the best health services in the world by the World Health Organisation.

Department of Health

This is the department that supports the government in improving the health and well-being of the population. The Department of Health started a programme of change in 2005, designed to make sure they provide leadership to the NHS and social care.

Making changes to the NHS

The 'Shifting the Balance of Power' programme has been introduced by the government and aims to design a service centred on patients, which puts them first. It aims to be faster, more convenient and offer more choice than in the past.

The main feature of the change has been to give locally based groups called Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) the role of running the NHS and improving health in their areas. This has also led to new Strategic Health Authorities being created which cover larger areas and now take a more strategic role.

NHS services

Primary care is the first point of contact most people have with the NHS and is delivered by a wide range of professionals, including family GPs, nurses, dentists, pharmacists and opticians. This care focuses on the treatment of routine injuries and illnesses as well as preventive care, such as services to help people stop smoking. Primary care is mostly concerned with a patient's general health needs, but increasingly more specialist treatments and services are becoming available in primary care settings closer to where people live.

NHS Direct

The NHS Direct Online's health information enquiry service is intended for use if you cannot find the health information you need on the NHS Direct Online website. They aim to respond to all enquiries within up to five working days from receipt of your enquiry but if your enquiry is more urgent, the NHS offer a telephone service called NHS Direct on 0845 4647.

NHS Walk-in Services

NHS walk-in centres offer fast and convenient access to a range of NHS services, including health information, advice and treatment for a range of minor illnesses (coughs, colds, infections) and minor injuries (strains, sprains, cuts).

Most centres are open from early morning to late evening, seven days a week. The centres are run by experienced NHS nurses, and you don't need to make an appointment. You should be aware that some newly opened centres may offer different opening hours during the first few months.

Emergency Services