Research Topics: National Health Service United Kingdom

National Health Service in the United Kingdom

Introduction The National Health Service, NHS, is a government agency in UK under the management of the Department of Health whose primary responsibility is to provide healthcare to UK citizens. NHS has three parts: hospital services; family doctors, dentists, opticians, and pharmacists; and local authority health services, including community nursing and health visiting (NHS, 2006).             In 1999, the UK government initiated the modernization strategy on institutions across UK including government agencies such as the NHS. The aim of this modernization scheme is to exploit technology for the advantage of the people all over UK. Part of this modernization scheme is the implementation of e-commerce strategy within government agencies. E-business within government agencies is electronic transactions or public service between a government agency and the public; electronic transactions between government agencies and between departments of an agency; and electronic transactions between the government and the industry.             As a health agency, NHS has a great involvement in the e-business since it handles many transactions with the public such as medical services, and the industry where it gets supply for the medicine, equipments and other facilities needed by a health agency. The focus of this paper is the complex supply chain of NHS and how e-commerce can be capitalized for the benefits of NHS, the public and the suppliers which are all part of the chain. The paper discusses on the elements of the e-commerce strategy for the NHS supply and the barriers that may hinder the effectiveness of the strategy as well as the approach needed to overcome the barriers.             As stated above, NHS has a complex supply chain. What made it complex are the many independent organizations such as hospitals, primary care trusts and health authorities. Health authorities all over UK include the Bromley Health Authority, the Dorset Health Authority, North West Lancashire, South Humber, and the South Staffordshire Health Authorities. NHS Trusts includes the many hospitals and infirmaries such as Airedale NHS Trust, Glasgow Royal Infirmary University NHS Trusts, Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust and many others. Each trust and health authorities has different needs and demands, making the supply chain complex. In addition, NHS needs to manage its £11 billion annual procurement budget (Simons, 2002). It needed a system that will help manage the transaction in NHS and make transactions transparent. A centralized purchasing using e-commerce is then needed. The NHS Supply Authority The NHS Supplies Authority is an organization formed in 1991 which aims to integrate the variable supply operations across UK by creating agreements with suppliers with fixed prices. The agreements between the NHS supplies Authority and the suppliers allowed all health authorities and NHS trusts to have contract with the suppliers at pre-agreed prices for particular goods and services. The NHS Supplies Authority is involved in the purchasing arrangements between the customers and the suppliers. The organization also has direct customers which buy products directly to them so NHS Supplies Authority also buys goods from the suppliers which they sell through their warehousing and distribution service (Bourn, 1996).             However, the role of the NHS Supplies Authority is limited to providing framework agreements which serve as a basis of supply contracts. NHS Supplies Authority does not cover other aspects of purchasing such as how much a certain health institution will spend, which brand and which suppliers will provide certain goods or services. In other words, NHS Supplies Authority is not sufficient to make efficient procurement across the NHS supply chain, thus the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency, PASA, was formed.     NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency NHS PASA is basically a government agency that develops policy on supplies and formulates strategies including the incorporation of e-commerce strategy in the NHS supply chain. It is responsible of modernizing and improving supply management across UK to ensure that the money allocated for NHS is spent wisely and effectively.             The functions of NHS PASA includes improving purchasing and supply performance across the NHS; leading the modernization of the supply chain; improving efficiency and reducing cost in the supply chain; raising the profile of the purchasing and supply function; ensuring that all non-pay expenditure is subjected to professional purchasing and value for money practices; and encouraging new and innovative suppliers (NHS, 2002).             As noted above, there are differences in purchasing performance across the NHS that make the supply chain complex. This complexity makes the supply chain response slower. To address this, NHS PASA recommended the formation of a middle tier of purchasing between the national and local level purchasing (NHS, 2002). This is the formation of Supply Management Confederations, a group of trusts who work together to negotiate contracts on a geographical basis (NHS, 2002). They group together for mutual benefit to achieve a joint approach in areas of purchasing such as strategic outsourcing, product and supplier rationalization, stock management, contracting and supply chain management (Anonymous, 2004).             Through the Confederations, trusts need to commit to NHS PASA contracts and procurement strategies and plans; agree the configuration and terms of reference of their Confederation; develop project implementation plans for collaboration; harmonize corporate governance arrangements; agree and commit to the sharing of risks and benefits; develop strategies within the confederations; monitor and feedback performance using national performance indicator; and share information with regard to best practices (NHS, 2002). NHS Logistics Authority NHS Logistics Authority was also formed with the aim to improve the supply chain of NHS. NHS Logistics Authority is structured into four directories which are Finance and Performance; Human Resources; Customer Services; and Information Technology (Anonymous, 2006). The NHS Logistics serves as the distribution centers within NHS and its role is to deliver a range of essential modern supply chain services, to manage and develop the NHS-specific supply channel for consumable goods required by the NHS. NHS Logistics also implement the range of e-commerce supply chain solutions it has developed; implement a supplier performance regime; and assists the Supply Management Confederations with the necessary supply chain arrangements and skills (NHS, 2002).             In developing a supply chain using e-commerce strategy, it is necessary to identify the members of the supply chain who will operate within the network. In NHS, the members of the supply chain are already mentioned above. These are the customers which may be the patients and the doctors; the NHS PASA, the NHS Trusts and Health Authorities; the Confederations; and the suppliers.             Before the modernization plot, NHS supply chain network was very complex due to hundreds of NHS trusts involve in the chain. With the modernization scheme and implementation of e-commerce strategy, the NHS supply chain network has been simplified as shown in the figure below:             The network was simplified by classifying the members into two categories: the primary members and the support group members (Sangam, 2006). The primary members are those who carry out value adding activities in an independent environment while the support members are those that simply provide resources, knowledge, utilities, or assets for the primary members of the supply chain (Sangam, 2006). In the diagram above, the primary members are the customers, the NHS trusts and Health Authorities, and the suppliers. The support members include the NHS PASA which leads the modernization in NHS, the NHS Logistics and the Supply Management Confederations.             The customers are the end users of products and services being given by the trusts, hospitals and health authorities under the supervision and standards set by the NHS. Therefore, the trusts are responsible in forecasting and demand planning. They are the ones who can determine the products and services needed by the end-users. The Supply Management Confederations as noted above are groups of trusts in a certain location. They are group together to share best practices and skills necessary for product inventories and supply management. The Confederation shares with its members the knowledge and e-commerce supply chain solutions the NHS Logistics Authority has developed. NHS PASA assists trusts in negotiating contracts with the supplier. NHS PASA also established common standards such as the catalogue system where products are categorized and classified and given product codes. The E-Commerce In any organizations today, they want to incorporate e-commerce strategy in their supply chain management. This has been the primary role of NHS PASA, how to incorporate e-commerce strategy in the NHS supply chain management that will help in reduce expenses in the supply chain and at the same time makes the supply chain more responsive and the flow of products or services faster for the benefits of each member of the chain.             Defining supply chain management, SCM, it is the integration of key business processes, from suppliers through end-users that provide products, services, and information that add value for customers and stakeholders (Perez, 2001). It is also a network of facilities and distribution options that integrate the functions of demand planning and forecasting, procurement of materials, manufacturing, distribution, and return. The goal of SCM is to reduce inventory cost and to improve the coordination and collaboration with suppliers and distributors.             According to the UK government, e-commerce is the exchange of information across electronic networks at any stage in the supply chain, whether within an organization, between businesses, between businesses and consumer, or between the public and private sectors. Electronic commerce and Supply Chain Management focuses on systems and processes to support the flow of information within and between organizations which occurs in the context of procurement, manufacturing, sales, distribution of goods, information and services (Atkinson, 2001). Both e-commerce and SCM is focus on the integration of information and products or services thus by incorporating e-commerce within the supply chain, the goal of SCM will be achieved.             With e-commerce, NHS expects to have exploited and consolidated transparency of information across all networks within NHS; obtain greater leverage through appropriate aggregation of demand across the NHS, the government and the wider public sector; and improve efficiency of transactional processes of NHS and its suppliers, ensuring high quality of service. Elements of E-commerce To be able to achieve theses benefits, e-commerce strategy needed to have key elements necessary before and during its implementation. One key element is a good IT infrastructure within NHS and other members of the supply chain including the trusts, health authorities, the Confederations and the suppliers. IT infrastructure composes of computers and laptops, servers, according to the needs of the organization. The software used for SCM should communication networks and software and must be combined together matching the operating system used and should be capable of storing data needed in the supply chain such as product information and supplier information. On the part of the trusts, they should have system capable of storing and retrieving the medical data to plan and forecast demands.             Another key element of e-commerce is resources. These resources include human resources and financial resources. Financial resources are needed for the purchase of equipments needed to develop a good IT infrastructure. If the UK government has no enough allocated budget for e-commerce, then the strategy could be a failure. Human resource is very much needed with e-commerce strategy.   NHS should have a CIO that has the capability and technical knowledge handling e-commerce. E-commerce involves having a standardized information system within NHS and a CIO and other technical people are needed to implement e-commerce. Employees of NHS especially those involve in the supply chain such as the finance and procurement department should be educated on how to maximize the use of such systems. The people involved in the supply chain are the ones who will implement e-commerce so the success of the strategy is dependent on its implementation. Effective leadership is also a key component of e-commerce. Employees should be motivated and organizational learning should be implemented in order for everyone in NHS become aware of e-commerce.             With all the necessary information about the supply chain members as well as the key elements of e-commerce known, e-commerce has been implemented. With e-commerce, all the transactions within the chain are done fast and efficient. Customers can order online with the use of e-mail or via the established website of NHS that publishes information and online catalogues. Via the internet, NHS PASA can assists trusts with contract negotiating. Trusts and suppliers can have interaction for order placement and transaction can be completed online by electronic payment. Suppliers will then deliver the products to distribution centers of the NHS Logistics Authority and distributed to the trusts and to the end-users.             E-commerce programme in NHS with the leadership and initiatives of NHS PASA includes undertaking electronically traditional and discrete procurement-based activities such as electronic tendering, catalogues and ordering; overlapping financial and probity processes such as invoice receipt and matching, payment of suppliers and audit trail/authorization procedures; generation of management and strategic supply information such as budget planning, reporting and control, demand forecasting, supply chain performance management, and strategic sourcing and supply decisions (NHS, 2002).             Undoubtedly, the primary benefit of e-commerce is cost reduction by automating the purchase requisition, approval and process; reducing errors and reworks; ‘maverick’, off-contract purchasing; providing online access to multiple suppliers, thereby facilitating price comparisons; and saving administrative time and providing more developed data which enable purchasing professionals to negotiate better terms with suppliers (Homira, 2001). Barriers to E-commerce However, there are some barriers that may hinder the effectiveness of e-commerce. These may include an uncompromised member of the chain. Traditionally, all departments such as management, system, administration, inventory, distribution and the purchasing of an organization such as a health-providing organization like NHS operate independently and are often conflicting. Health Trusts also have different departments responsible for the procurement of health products and facilities. With e-commerce incorporation in the supply chain management, all the different functions of these departments should be aligned and integrated. In order for e-commerce solutions to supplant the healthcare industry’s current methods of transacting business, seamless integration with buyers’ information systems and effective coordination of buyers’ and suppliers’ actions is required (Homira, 2001).             E-commerce in NHS will also lead to cultural change due to the substantial change brought about by e-commerce and modernization and it is common that there are some members of the NHS organizations who will resist to changes. It is the responsibility of NHS management to inform and educate its members and defined to them their functions as e-commerce take effect in order for them to appreciate the benefits e-commerce will bring to the entire organization.             Another barrier is lack of financial and technical expertise. As noted above, with e-commerce in the supply chain management, good understanding of the internet, the web, online marketplaces, and information systems and management require good technical facilities that will support reliable systems. Not all trusts in NHS are in the position of making necessary investment in purchasing and supply (NHS, 2002). Resources for financial support for facilities as well as human resources for technical and senior procurement positions lack in some trusts.             Like in any industry implementing e-commerce, security of the system is always an issue. In the supply chain of NHS, important data and transactions are involved therefore it needed security to avoid system failure or interference of hackers in the system.             To overcome these barriers, the UK government who initiated modernization in government agencies should allocate resources to financially support e-commerce in the supply chain of NHS. NHS PASA addressed the issue of lack of human resources through inter-trust supply management, where a group of trusts in the same geographical area and with similar needs collaborate to pool expertise, avoid duplication of effort, and maximize value for money and the potential for savings (NHS, 2002). This collaboration of trusts is also the Supply Management Confederations mentioned above. In addition, NHS PASA provides strategy and assists trusts in communicating with the suppliers. Inter-trust supply management has potential benefits for individual trusts and for NHS as a whole. These benefits include economies of scale and lower total costs through volume aggregation, reduced duplication and sharing of costs; increasing purchasing leverage and reduced cost of ownership; purchasing savings; shared risk; shared purchasing resource and expertise and improved career prospects for purchasing and supply professionals; development of centers for procurement excellence; opportunity to standardize products, systems and processes more widely and collective support and raising standards of weaker trusts (NHS, 2002).             It is also important for NHS and individual trusts to reorganize in some level to able to have an organizational structure integrated with e-commerce. Sound organizational structure usually means a certain mix and interaction of talented individuals, working in relevant functions and areas of responsibility, sharing knowledge and related assets, behaving responsively and constructively (Wolfe, 2003). When a structure’s elements are properly aligned with one another, the structure facilitates effective implementation of the organization’s strategies (Barth, 2003). Some internal departments must be set up like Strategic Sourcing, Procurement and Systems and Operational Procurement departments set up in Addenbrooke’s NHS Trust which led to a cash releasing savings of £1.35 (NHS, 2002). Conclusion E-commerce and supply chain management can be at their full potential if integrated together effectively. With this kind of project that involves a lot of changes but will results to huge benefits not only for NHS but especially to the public sector who are befitted by the services provided by NHS, the initiative should be reorganization. Putting people at the right position and defining to them clearly their tasks will help the project become effective and will help eliminate problems during its implementation. Reorganization also helps in effective collaboration and coordination among the members of the supply chain. With the advent of technology, e-commerce in health care agencies is important for the speed and flexibility of health care services given to the public.           Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

National Health Service in the United Kingdom

Introduction The National Health Service, NHS, is a government agency in UK under the management of the Department of Health whose primary...

The Effectiveness of School Councils in the United Kingdom

Introduction             The educational system of England underwent a lot of significant reforms right from the introduction of the 1944 Education Act.  The Act gave everyone a free access to a secondary education for the first time.  However, the system has certain setbacks that have been noticed.  The secondary moderns failed to challenge the majority of the brightest students and denied opportunities for a vocational education since technical schools never really played a major part in the system.              Even though there have been initially pressures from middle class parents not pleased with the standards in secondary moderns, it paved the way for comprehensive schools and the conversion of grammars and secondary moderns in the 1960s and 1970s.              It was in the late eighties that a National Curriculum was introduced which was accompanied by greater accountability through national testing and regular independent inspection.  Such accountability was extended even up to 1997 with literacy and numeracy reforms in primary schools that aims to encourage improvements in all schools.  There were then expectations to improve quickly those failing schools while a challenge has been set for those under-performing schools.              With such a new educational system in the late 90s, the quality of teaching has been transformed.  The proficiency of teaching rises in primary schools from 45% in 1997 to 74% in 2004/05, and from 59% to 78% in secondary schools.    United Kingdom’s Educational System             In transforming England’s school system, the first step was determined by the needs and aspirations of parents.  Parents played a significant role in their quest for excellent educational system for their child.  Accounting to this, it was a challenge for the education department in giving every parent confidence that their child will gain outstanding education.  Furthermore, schools were shaped according to the interest of parents and children.  Good schools were expanded that greatly influence and benefit more parents.  As parents have high aspirations for their children, it is appears that they also place high demands on schools.  They want the best for their own chills and also to have a strong stake in the performance of the school as a whole.  The support and commitment from parents are the most powerful influence on the learning and progress of the child.  These are just a good reason for the educational system to strive hard for higher standards.  A unique system, Sure Start Children’s Center was developed for the involvement of the parents making sure that what is delivered is right for them and their children.  Parents was in the center of everything the schools do.              Another factor that makes the United Kingdom’s educational system effective and undoubtedly a success is the ability of parents to express a preference for the school they want their child to attend.  In responding to this reality, the UK has a growing number of specialist schools and is predicted to be a fully specialist school system within just two years.  This will offer a greater choice for parents to choose what school would suit their child’s strengths and interests.              Personalized educational system tackles the persistent achievement gaps between different social and ethnic groups.  This resulted into an improved social mobility while driving up standards.  It is another key ingredient for the system’s effectiveness as it will create opportunity for every child regardless of their background.              Along with the achievement of high educational standards is the development of well-being of the children.  Unbelievably, UK has additional extended schools that offer a wider range of activities to a larger group of children.  Such extended schools will stretch and stimulate children and young people to learn and engage n sport and enrichment activities, especially to the disadvantaged.              Discipline also played a vital role in UK’s educational system for without it, it would be impossible for teachers to teach and for pupils to learn.  The schools have clear discipline and behavior codes where everybody knows what is expected of them and what the sanctions are for misbehavior.  Conclusion             There are actually a lot of factors for the effectiveness of the educational system of the United Kingdom.  With all those above-stated statements, UK’s educational system is without a doubt, a world-class system for other countries to follow.  Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

The Effectiveness of School Councils in the United Kingdom

Introduction The educational system of England underwent a lot of significant reforms right from the introduction of the 1944...

Improvements in Health in the Population

Improvements in Health in the Population Introduction             Good health is the foundation of a good life, and our health and the health of our families and friends strengthen our capability to enjoy life. Being well enables many to seize opportunities in participating in activities in the family, community and the working life ( 1998). The modern society has accommodated many changes, such as changes in education, healthcare, technology and way of life. The National Health Service or the NHS plays a very important role in providing healthcare services to the United Kingdom. It is the “public face” of the four publicly funded healthcare systems and provides the majority of healthcare, from general practitioners to Accident and Emergency Departments, long-term healthcare and dentistry ( 2006). Its significant contribution is in its recognition and investment in providing groups of staff and associate specialists group of doctors, who are crucial to the modernization of the National Health Service and the provision of improved patient care (2005). In addition, it also delivers as many services as possible in the most low-tech and local environment, with more support in people’s homes and the community, with increased investment in informatics and new medical technologies (  2003). With the services of the organization, many improvements in the society is being achieved, including the support of better provision of treatment to patients, and the training of doctors and other health professionals.      History of the National Health Service             The National Health Service or NHS was set up on July 5, 1948, to provide healthcare for all citizens, based on need, and not the ability to pay ( 2006). Plans for a health service had been made during the Second World War, where conditions are desolate. Food for many citizens was still rationed, building materials were short, there was a dollar economic crisis, a shortage of fuel, the war created a housing crisis, and distribution of services in hospitals were poor. The NHS was founded just at the time when massive innovation was occurring in the availability of drugs such as antibiotics, better anesthetic agents, cortisone, drugs for the treatment of mental illness, good diuretics for heart failure, and antihistamines. These advances, as well as better radiology systems, raised the cost of the National Health Service while improving patient care (2006). These gradually improved the services provided by the National Health Service, until present. Under a Labor government, the current decade has seen a wide and varying series of initiatives, financial and organizational changes, and alterations in policy, by the supervision of successive Secretaries of State, namely . Labor’s traditional desire to look at healthcare from a community and public health perspective led the organization to produce policies ( 2006) for the improvement of services rendered.             The use of statistics for the evaluation of data gathered by the National Health Statistics is essential for providing and improving healthcare. Statistics are crucial in determining the life expectancy rates and infant mortality rates in the society. Aside from basing the statistics from hospital records, another way for the National Health Service to determine rates is through the provision of consultations per person in the NHS Walk-in centers sited in hospitals and city centers. Moreover, the National Health Service also launched a program called NHS Direct, which is a 24-hour nurse-led telephone hotline, in providing quick and convenient access to healthcare information and advice (2006). This has emphasized the advantages of using technology in response to gathering information, which becomes easier for the organization. Factors affecting Health             It is important to take note of the factors affecting our health for these determine our need for special medical attention and treatment. Some factors include nutrition, lifestyle, religion, culture, stress, geography, and medical care to name a few. Nutrition encompasses a healthy diet, use of supplements and drinking plenty of water, and goes hand-in-hand with exercise or physical activity, which aids cardiovascular and respiratory functions in the body, decreases the loss of muscular strength, enhances bone mass, helps in digestion, encourages sound sleep and prevents depression (2002). Another factor is lifestyle, which includes exposure to alcohol and cigarette smoking. Smoking increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, bronchitis, cancer and emphysema, while excessive alcohol intake heightens risk of liver diseases and certain cancers ( 2002). This is also in relation to stress management that could trigger the cigarette smoking and drinking. Religion and culture also affects health through the exposure to certain practices that could harm health, in addition to specific diets the religion and culture could only allow. This is specifically in connection to the geography of individuals, which could also limit the nutrition supplements. Medical care can also be considered for the sustenance and survival of an individual can be determined by his or her willingness to be treated by medical professionals. Problems in the National Health Service             It has been reported that problems in the National Health Service includes under funding, long waiting lists, postal code variation in practice, and poor outcomes in cancer care, which caused the United Kingdom to lag 9th out of 15 European Union countries in the World Health Organization’s recent ranking of health systems ( 2000). Under funding of the organization is due to the financial crisis, caused by the introduction of a market-based system for healthcare. It has been reported that it is a financial madness to guarantee private providers’ huge volumes of work, while NHS hospitals are deprived of essential funding and their facilities are being left idle ( 2005). Long waiting lists defines the fact that substantial numbers of patients wait longer than six months for surgery due to limited numbers of hospital beds, operating theaters and doctors. This problem is being experienced only by a number of hospitals and is being supported by little evidence ( 2003). These problems serve as challenges for the National Health Service to improve their rendered services and their administration in the organization. These should not hinder the organization from further improving healthcare services in achieving better results in the society. Conclusion             The services provided by the National Health Service have proven to be essential in the improvements of health of the modern society. Tracing from what the organization has provided its citizens with healthcare support starting the Second World War is enough achievement for it to be regarded as a pioneer of healthcare improvements in the United Kingdom. Better healthcare using advanced technology can be one means of improving health, for technology can definitely increase the probability of prolonging the lives of many individuals. Advanced technology can also contribute to treatment and diagnosis of many diseases. Promoting healthy lifestyles, such as engaging in exercise and eating a balanced diet, can also contribute to improvement in health. The improvement of health of many individuals in the modern society can be attributed to a myriad of factors. The important idea to take note of is the positive chain of reaction happening to the modern society, resulting to an improved well-being of many individuals.      Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

Improvements in Health in the Population

Improvements in Health in the Population Introduction Good health is the foundation of a good life, and our health and the ...

Improvements in Health in the Population

Improvements in Health in the Population Introduction             Good health is the foundation of a good life, and our health and the health of our families and friends strengthen our capability to enjoy life. Being well enables many to seize opportunities in participating in activities in the family, community and the working life (1998). The modern society has accommodated many changes, such as changes in education, healthcare, technology and way of life. The National Health Service or the NHS plays a very important role in providing healthcare services to the United Kingdom. It is the “public face” of the four publicly funded healthcare systems and provides the majority of healthcare, from general practitioners to Accident and Emergency Departments, long-term healthcare and dentistry (2006). Its significant contribution is in its recognition and investment in providing groups of staff and associate specialists group of doctors, who are crucial to the modernization of the National Health Service and the provision of improved patient care (2005). In addition, it also delivers as many services as possible in the most low-tech and local environment, with more support in people’s homes and the community, with increased investment in informatics and new medical technologies (2003). With the services of the organization, many improvements in the society is being achieved, including the support of better provision of treatment to patients, and the training of doctors and other health professionals.      History of the National Health Service             The National Health Service or NHS was set up on July 5, 1948, to provide healthcare for all citizens, based on need, and not the ability to pay (2006). Plans for a health service had been made during the Second World War, where conditions are desolate. Food for many citizens was still rationed, building materials were short, there was a dollar economic crisis, a shortage of fuel, the war created a housing crisis, and distribution of services in hospitals were poor. The NHS was founded just at the time when massive innovation was occurring in the availability of drugs such as antibiotics, better anesthetic agents, cortisone, drugs for the treatment of mental illness, good diuretics for heart failure, and antihistamines. These advances, as well as better radiology systems, raised the cost of the National Health Service while improving patient care (2006). These gradually improved the services provided by the National Health Service, until present. Under a Labor government, the current decade has seen a wide and varying series of initiatives, financial and organizational changes, and alterations in policy, by the supervision of successive Secretaries of State,  Labor’s traditional desire to look at healthcare from a community and public health perspective led the organization to produce policies ( 2006) for the improvement of services rendered.             The use of statistics for the evaluation of data gathered by the National Health Statistics is essential for providing and improving healthcare. Statistics are crucial in determining the life expectancy rates and infant mortality rates in the society. Aside from basing the statistics from hospital records, another way for the National Health Service to determine rates is through the provision of consultations per person in the NHS Walk-in centers sited in hospitals and city centers. Moreover, the National Health Service also launched a program called NHS Direct, which is a 24-hour nurse-led telephone hotline, in providing quick and convenient access to healthcare information and advice ( 2006). This has emphasized the advantages of using technology in response to gathering information, which becomes easier for the organization. Factors affecting Health             It is important to take note of the factors affecting our health for these determine our need for special medical attention and treatment. Some factors include nutrition, lifestyle, religion, culture, stress, geography, and medical care to name a few. Nutrition encompasses a healthy diet, use of supplements and drinking plenty of water, and goes hand-in-hand with exercise or physical activity, which aids cardiovascular and respiratory functions in the body, decreases the loss of muscular strength, enhances bone mass, helps in digestion, encourages sound sleep and prevents depression (2002). Another factor is lifestyle, which includes exposure to alcohol and cigarette smoking. Smoking increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, bronchitis, cancer and emphysema, while excessive alcohol intake heightens risk of liver diseases and certain cancers (2002). This is also in relation to stress management that could trigger the cigarette smoking and drinking. Religion and culture also affects health through the exposure to certain practices that could harm health, in addition to specific diets the religion and culture could only allow. This is specifically in connection to the geography of individuals, which could also limit the nutrition supplements. Medical care can also be considered for the sustenance and survival of an individual can be determined by his or her willingness to be treated by medical professionals. Problems in the National Health Service             It has been reported that problems in the National Health Service includes under funding, long waiting lists, postal code variation in practice, and poor outcomes in cancer care, which caused the United Kingdom to lag 9th out of 15 European Union countries in the World Health Organization’s recent ranking of health systems (2000). Under funding of the organization is due to the financial crisis, caused by the introduction of a market-based system for healthcare. It has been reported that it is a financial madness to guarantee private providers’ huge volumes of work, while NHS hospitals are deprived of essential funding and their facilities are being left idle (2005). Long waiting lists defines the fact that substantial numbers of patients wait longer than six months for surgery due to limited numbers of hospital beds, operating theaters and doctors. This problem is being experienced only by a number of hospitals and is being supported by little evidence ( 2003). These problems serve as challenges for the National Health Service to improve their rendered services and their administration in the organization. These should not hinder the organization from further improving healthcare services in achieving better results in the society. Conclusion             The services provided by the National Health Service have proven to be essential in the improvements of health of the modern society. Tracing from what the organization has provided its citizens with healthcare support starting the Second World War is enough achievement for it to be regarded as a pioneer of healthcare improvements in the United Kingdom. Better healthcare using advanced technology can be one means of improving health, for technology can definitely increase the probability of prolonging the lives of many individuals. Advanced technology can also contribute to treatment and diagnosis of many diseases. Promoting healthy lifestyles, such as engaging in exercise and eating a balanced diet, can also contribute to improvement in health. The improvement of health of many individuals in the modern society can be attributed to a myriad of factors. The important idea to take note of is the positive chain of reaction happening to the modern society, resulting to an improved well-being of many individuals.      Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

Improvements in Health in the Population

Improvements in Health in the Population Introduction Good health is the foundation of a good life, and our health and the ...

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