what is nhs

The NHS stands for the National Health Service. It refers to the publicly funded healthcare systems of the United Kingdom, which include NHS England, NHS Scotland, and NHS Wales. The NHS provides medical and health care services that everyone living in the UK can use without being asked to pay directly, as most of the funding is collected through UK residents paying tax. The NHS was officially opened on July 5, 1948, marking the day when all UK residents were given the right to access health services offered by doctors, nurses, midwives, and dentists without having to pay directly in England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. The NHS was set up to ensure that the burden of paying for health services is shared by everybody, rather than the costs coming directly from ill or injured people. The NHS website provides information and advice on health conditions, symptoms, healthy living, medicines, and how to get help. It also offers services such as finding a pharmacy, dentist, or GP, booking appointments online, and accessing a range of other healthcare services.