The National Health Service (NHS) is the umbrella term for the publicly funded healthcare systems of the United Kingdom, encompassing NHS England, NHS Scotland, NHS Wales, and Health and Social Care (Northern Ireland). The NHS was founded on July 5, 1948, as part of major social reforms following World War II. The core principles at its launch were to meet the needs of everyone, be free at the point of delivery, and be based on clinical need, not the ability to pay. It was the first western country to offer free at the point of use medical care to the whole population.
The NHS is a major employer, with approximately 1.6 million employees and a combined budget of £136.7 billion in 2015–16. In 2024, the total health sector workforce across the United Kingdom was 1,499,368. Amanda Pritchard currently serves as the Chief Executive of NHS England, leading the organization's recovery from COVID-19 disruptions and implementing long-term strategic initiatives. NHS England has a leadership team that includes a Chief People Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Nursing Officer, National Medical Director, and Chief Digital and Information Officer. Recent news indicates the NHS is launching AI and robotics technology pilots to spot lung cancer sooner and is offering a new medicine to restore skin color to those affected by vitiligo.
