HOSPITAL AND GP

What is the National Health Service (NHS)?

The National Health Service, known as the “NHS” is a state run national health

service which provides free health care in the UK for UK nationals and citizens

from other countries who also qualify for free health care in the UK. 

The NHS is funded by taxation. It comprises the General Practitioner services of:

• General Medical Practitioners (GP).
•  General Dental Practitioners.
•  General Ophthalmic Practitioners.
• General Pharmaceutical Practitioners.

and community based services and hospital services, which are provided in

every area.

What is a General Medical Practitioner (GP)?

A GP is your local personal NHS doctor. If you are ill or worried about your

health or the health of anyone in your family, you should go and see your local

GP. The place where you go to see your GP is called either a surgery or a health

centre. GPs often work together in a small group called a practice. The benefit

of GPs working in small groups is that if for any reason your own GP is not

available, you may ask to see another GP in the same practice.

Many practices have both male and female GPs. If your faith, religion or culture

requires that you or a member of your family are treated by a GP of the same

sex, please let the GP receptionist know this when you first go to register.

Most surgeries and health centres are accessible by wheelchair, have doors that

open electronically and have toilet facilities designed to meet the needs of

disabled patients.