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HISTORY OF NHS, ILLNESS AND DISEASES

Health
To begin with, health can be defined as the levels of functional efficiencies of an individual. In
terms of human beings, it the specific health condition of a persons mind and body that is free
from all forms and sorts of illnesses. In the year 1946, the World Health Organization offered a
comprehensive definition of health as it is a state of entire physical, emotional and social
wellbeing marked by the absence of all forms of diseases. This definition has remained the prime
subject of a number of controversies but still it is used as a reference for making health reforms
(Who.int, 2014).
Health Organizations
The different health organizations from all over the world view health in terms of different
perspectives. The focus of each organization is different ranging from local to global standpoints.
The WHO is one of the many organizations that focus on a global scale. Moreover, all countries
and regions have their own health organizations that function at various levels. For each country,
it is the responsibility of the governments to make such organizations and institutions that will be
responsible for giving guidance to the citizens in terms of mental, emotional, social and physical
health (Theagapecenter.com, 2014). Health organizations consider health an integral component
and right of every human being. In their view, all the leading countries and developed economies
of the world should ensure health care services for all mankind. In addition to taking care of their
own citizens, the governments of the developed countries should also participate in formulating
health regulations and laws, as suggested by the different health organizations that focus on
global health care provisions (Imva.org, 2014).
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History of NHS UK
In UK, it is believed that health care was a luxury that was not accessible by all members of the
society. In other words, only the able and elite members of the society had complete access to the
health care benefits. However, it all changed with the formation of NHS in UK. Before 1948, the
health services offered to the citizens were quite limited. It has also been reported that no new
hospitals and health care facilities were launched in those times. Some experts are of the view
that the WWII is one of the main reasons for the lack of funding in this regard, as UK has
suffered severe economic and human loses at those times. It is also a fact that most of the people
in UK relied on DIY and other home remedies in order to cure their health care issues and
problems. The advent of NHS in the country marked a new era in the domain of health care
(Nhs.uk, 2014).
In terms of the healthcare benefits for the workers, their families were not given any security
under the coverage. The standard of living for most workers was quite lower in comparison to
the elite citizens who were given complete support in terms of healthcare. Throughout the span
of the 19
th
century, philanthropists and social workers dedicated their efforts and energies in
offering free health facilities and services to the poor in the United Kingdom. The contributions
of these individuals are important benchmarks in the history of NHS. The free dispensary opened
by the famous surgeon William Marsden is often considered by many as the initiation of free
healthcare for all regardless of their social status (Nhs.uk, 2014).
The Royal Free Hospital was the fruit of the efforts made by Marsden. However, due to the lack
of funding and support from the government, the hospital filed for bankruptcy in 1920 after
which all patients were no longer offered free treatment and services. Another main issue at the
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time was that only the serious form of illness were given free treatment. Individuals with mild or
low scale illnesses and health issues were required for pay to avail the services. The same was
the case for the disabled and old aged members of the society who were not offered any sort of
free assistance (Nhsdirect.nhs.uk, 2014).
It was on the 5
th
of July, 1948, that the National Health Service was launched. It was one of the
most momentous achievement of those times. Every single person was hoping that the service
will work for them and make their lives better, as it was centered on free healthcare services and
facilities to all the countrys residents. There were a number of barriers which NHS had to
confront including the shortage of medicine, funding, housing crisis etc (Nhsdirect.nhs.uk,
2014). The financial problems were really worse as it was impossible for the authorities to
continue offering the service on a day to day basis. Medical science was progressing at a rapid
pace. Almost all members of the society looked upon to the government for their health benefits
and facilities. The NHS which was launched to offer free service was later onwards forced to
charge a minimal amount. The prescription charges were forced introduced that were followed
by some other charges (Nhs.uk, 2014).
The family doctors served as the main players in the services of NHS. These doctors were held
responsible for controlling the number of patients that were being referred to the hospitals.
Amongst the chaos, one of the major contributions of NHS was the launching of a number of
community health centers. With the passage of time, the foundations of NHS became stronger.
With the increase in the funding due to the stability of the countrys economy, more and more
people were given free of charge healthcare and other related services (Nhsdirect.nhs.uk, 2014).
From 1968-77, organizational optimism in additional to clinical optimism was visible all across
the NHS. New hospitals, transplant facilities, effective medication, free of charge operations and
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other related services were introduced in the decade that followed. Till the 80s, healthcare
services had witnessed a major improvement. The government and the law offered a number of
health benefits and rights to all members of the society. From 1988-97, the NHS witnessed a
major cultural shift due to which the services were also made available to all minatory members
and communities. This is the mechanism through which the healthcare was offered nationally to
all citizens of the country (Historylearningsite.co.uk, 2014).
Several healthcare reforms and provisions have outlined strategies and techniques for controlling
the burden of disease in the UK. The mechanism through which the burden has been managed is
the increase in the healthcare benefits and funding (Nuffieldtrust.org.uk, 2014). With the increase
in the healthcare expenditure since the year 1990, the government had allocated a large amount
of funds and amounts to compensate for these expenditures. The data gathered from the Global
Burden of Diseases and Risk Factors Study shows that the progress of UK in terms of healthcare
is significant and much better in comparison to other developed economies and nations. In the
study, the relative performance of healthcare services and factors like life expectancy, mortality
and all other related factors were measured and assessed (Murray and Richards et al., 2013, pp.
997-1020). The findings of the study also indicated that an improvement was seen in all health
care sectors in the UK from 1990-2010. More specifically, life expectancy witnessed a great
improvement of more than 4 years. Moreover, the risk factors that cause the deaths of thousands
and thousands of people in UK have also decreased, the credit for which directly goes to the
healthcare provisions and services that have been introduced from time to time (Murray and
Richards et al., 2013, pp. 997-1020).

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Strategies used by the Government and the Citizens in terms of Health
Management
UK has been able to manage the aversive health conditions through its effective legislation,
health policies and provisions that have been backed by the government. The growth in the
countrys economy is also a contributing factor in this regard (Reform.co.uk, 2014). At the same
time, the individuals in the country have also been keen in managing their own health through
education, consultancy and online surveying. It is a fact that most of the citizens in UK are well
aware about how to manage their health (Gov.uk, 2010). Moreover, a number of studies and
surveys have also revealed that a large number of people prefer to consult the health experts and
physicians to know about the measures and strategies that are effective for managing their health
(O'brien and Oxman et al., 2005).
Life Style Factors
According to the survey by NHS in 2010, more than 43 % of the cases of cancer reported in UL
were due to the inappropriate lifestyles and environment factors. This points to more than
134,000 cases of cancer in the country. It is an indication that the lifestyle factors play a major
role in terms of increasing the burden of health. Smoking, alcohol consumption, poor eating
habits and a number of other related facets can be termed the most dominant lifestyle factors that
contribute to the burden of disease. The biggest and most powerful factor in this regard is
tobacco consumption that accounts for about 19 % of the cases. Obesity and alcohol
consumption were reported as the 2
nd
major factors in this regard (Nhs.uk, 2014).

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Healthcare Equality in UK
The Equality Act 2010 has ensured that the healthcare benefits and services are given to all
members of the society without any sort of discrimination on the basis of caste, color or creed.
Since the introduction of these provisions, it is considered unlawful for all NHS officials and
workers to discriminate a patient or any other individual in terms of health services Health
Knowledge, 2014). However, there have been a number of cases of healthcare inequality in UK
due to which there is a need for more effective legislations and regulations. The act offers
protection in terms of the following 9 characteristics (Nhs.uk, 2014).
Age
Racial background
Sex
Gender based
Disabilities
Religion
Sexual orientation
Marriage and other similar factors
Pregnancy and maternity related factors
Role of Alternative and Complimentary Medication
Firstly, the role of these alternatives can be better understood by understanding its importance in
the domain of public health. According to a report released by WHO, it is now confirm that the
availability of effective and alternative medication is not possible for most of the people in the
world who still rely on home based measures and remedies (Nhscareers.nhs.uk, 2014). The role
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of the alternative procedures and medications is to ensure that all individuals are given the best
healthcare benefits and services. Furthermore, the role can be assessed more effectively by
considering the relation between contemporary and traditional public health perspectives and
services (Ernst, 2000, p. 1133). In short, all health care systems and products that cannot be
considered to be a part of the traditional and conventional medicines are termed as the alternative
and complimentary medication. Mind body interventions, diet based therapies and treatment
methods are some of the examples of these alternative measures (Walach and Jonas et al., 2003,
pp. 88--95).
Healthcare in Charnwood
The healthcare systems and conditions in Charnwood, UK, are better in comparison to a number
of other regions in the country. However, there are a number of health related inequalities that
are visible in different areas of Charnwood. Whether it be gender, religion or sexual orientation,
inequality has been seen in all these domains. Moreover, the number of women in the region who
smoke during pregnancy is also higher in comparison to other regions of the country. The central
areas and regions of England have been reported as being the most deprived. Moreover, the
highest number of health inequalities have been reported for Asians and Mixed ethnicities. In
terms of deprivation, child poverty, availability of medicine and some other factors, Charnwood
is doing better than the rest of the country. However, there are a number of domains in which the
health conditions in the area are worse such as: smoking in pregnancy, child obesity, drug
misuse, deaths due to smoking, infant deaths etc (Charnwood District Profile, 2014, pp. 1-20).

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Reasons for these Differences
There are a number of individual, national and community factors that can be termed as the
reasons for these differences within the country. The growing inequalities in terms of the
distribution of health can also be linked to the perception of the citizens about individuals from
ethnicities other than the white population. Social class, color and race are the dominant factors
in this regard (Healthcare Across the UK, 2014, pp. 1-56). For the differences in healthcare, the
economic conditions of the regions within the UK are the dominant factors. The lifestyle factors
and other related measures of health are also one of the main causes of these differences. Local
health organizations, social workers and healthcare providers have been provided to address the
issues, but a lot more needs to be done (Healthcare Across the UK, 2014, pp. 1-56).
Future of Healthcare
It is evident that these differences and inequalities should be eliminated in order to ensure a
future free from discrimination in terms of healthcare. At the same time, if the present healthcare
problems and issues are not addressed, the challenges and barriers will continue to increase. The
healthcare provisions at the national and local level will also need to be improved and
implemented in a more effective manner (Holland, 2013). The authorities of the country will also
need to ensure that the legislation and laws are passed in relevance to the prevailing healthcare
issues, problems and systems. It is clear that the future of the country depends on its individuals,
so for this reason, offering unbiased healthcare services is what that should be ensured.

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