The NHS

The National Health Service is funded by the taxpayer and is responsible for providing health services to the general public. It was launched as a single organisation based around 14 regional hospital boards, originally split into three parts:

• hospital services
• family doctors, dentists, opticians and pharmacists
• local authority health services, including community nursing and health visiting.

Since its inception in 1948 there have been huge changes to both the organisational structure of the NHS and the way that patient services are provided. In addition, the number of staff emplyed within the NHS has risen considerably. Serving over 50 million people in England, the NHS is a massive organisation, employing more than 1.3 million staff - making it the largest employer in Europe.

To ensure the NHS runs as smooth as possible, it needs scientists, medical illustrators, accountants, porters, psychologists, information technologists and estate managers to name but a few. In fact, there are over 300 careers in the National Health Service, so no matter what your qualifications or field, there is a career to suit you, right here in the NHS.