The NHS provides one of the starkest illustrations of how devolution has affected the way public services are administered and provided in the UK. Everything from spending to patient choice now differ from nation to nation. FINANCE Spending on the NHS has risen threefold in the past 10 years. But that does not mean people do not have to pay for some services, such as prescriptions. And despite extra money being invested, spending per head still differs around the UK. Prescriptions charges across the UK - England - �7.10
- Scotland - Phased out by 2011
- Wales - No charge since 2007
- N Ireland - Frozen/under review
CAR PARKING ON NHS PROPERTY| England | Scotland | Wales | N Ireland | | Extensive charging | Limited to �3 a day | Being phased out between 1 April 2008 and 2011 | Free for cancer and dialysis patients and relatives of critically ill patients. Otherwise, hospitals charge locally | |
HEALTH Hospital-acquired infection data is from surveys of patients in acute hospitals in 2006. The survey in Scotland was carried out in a slightly different way and over a longer period. The figures are for all hospital infections, including MRSA and C-difficile.
STRUCTURE There is a distinct divide between the health policies from nation to nation, with England perhaps being the most marked with its use of market-based reforms. In terms of patient choice in England, any hospital providing treatment at NHS standards and prices is available. In the rest of the UK the GP usually decides on the hospital referral. NHS SERVICES PROVIDED BY PRIVATE SECTOR| England | Scotland | Wales | N Ireland | | Running GP services | One pilot independent treatment centre began in Tayside Aug 2007 | Minimal current use | Data not yet available | | Operations in independent treatment centres | No further use of private sector - Scots govt | Plaid Cymru/Labour committed to phasing out by 2011 | � | | Advising on commissioning | � | � | � |
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