NHS HEALTHCARE

England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales each have their own systems of private and publicly funded healthcare. Whilst each have different policies and priorities they all provide free public healthcare to all UK permanent residents and are funded by the Government from general taxation.

The majority of healthcare in England is provided by the National Health Service (NHS).

Online services provided by the NHS include:

• Medical A - Z : Conditions and Treatment
• A - Z of Medicines
• Pharmacy Locator
• Service Locator (Emergency, Hospital, GP, Dentist or specific procedure)

To find out more about any of the Complaints Procedure, Help with Complaints and Feedback follow this link.

A factsheet, "Resolving problems and making a complaint about NHS care" is available from AgeUK.

If you think an NHS practitioner or social services employee has been guilty of professional misconduct, you should complain to their professional or regulatory body. For more information click here.

A complete guide to NHS Healthcare including patients rights is available at:

• Citizens Advice
• AgeUK

For a guide to Healthcare for the armed forces community click here.

For information on NHS services for overseas visitors to the UK, follow this link.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (N ICE) provides advice and guidance to the NHS, local authorities, charities, and anyone with a responsibility for commissioning or providing healthcare, public health or social care services in order to improve outcomes for people using public health and social care services.

Hospital Stays

It is probable that may be admitted to hospital at some point and this can be both stressful and unsettling. AgeUK have produced a downloadable guide explaining what to expect when going into hospital, while you’re there and when you’re discharged, available at this link.