Health Care Systems

Question 1

Components of a healthcare system
(6 marks)

Answer 1

SFTPFR

Ø Structure - How system is organised (Primary, secondary & tertiary care)

Ø Functions - What functions the system wants to achieve?

Ø Target population - Who does the system provide care for?

Ø Personnel (Workforce) - Who works in the system (~ 50% healthcare workers, ~30% staff & ~15% infrastructure support)

Ø Funding - How is the system funded (for NHS: general taxation + national insurance contributions)

Ø Reimbursement - How are health professionals paid (through integrated healthcare boards)

Question 2

What is the NHS Constitution
(7 pillars)

Answer 2

1) NHS provides a COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE, AVAILABLE to ALL

2) Access to NHS services is based on CLINICAL NEED, not an individual’s ability to pay

3) NHS aspires to the highest standards of EXCELLENCE + PROFESSIONALISM

4) The PT WILL BE AT THE <3 of everything the NHS does

5) NHS works ACROSS ORGANISATIONAL BOUNDARIES

6) NHS is committed to providing BEST VALUE FOR TAXPAYERS’ MONEY

7) NHS is ACCOUNTABLE TO THE PUBLIC, COMMUNITIES & PTs that it serves

Question 3

Who is entitled to free NHS density
(4 marks)

Answer 3

1. Children
2. Pregnant women
3. Universal credit
4. Pension credit guarantee

Question 4

Structure of a health care system
(6 marks)

Answer 4

1) Primary care
○ Local health care that people receive from GPs, dentists, community pharmacists + optometrists

2) Secondary care
	○ Consultant-led services usually delivered in hospitals, where patients have been referred by a primary care professionals (exception being emergency care)

3) Tertiary care
	○ Consultant-led health care, usually for inpatients referred by primary or secondary health professionals, in a facility that has advanced staff & facilities

Question 5

Functions of a healthcare system
(5 marks)

Answer 5

1- Improve the health status of individuals, families & communities

2- Defend population against what threats its own health

3- Protect people against the financial consequences of ill-health

4- Provide equitable access to people centred care

5- Make it possible for people to participate in decisions affecting their health & health system

Question 6

In 2019, Prime Minister asked the NHS to write a plan for the next 10 years (called “The NHS Long Term Plan 2019”)

Plan shows how extra money for the NHS will be spent to help people to be healthy.

What does this plan focus on?

Answer 6

Plan focuses on prevention & quality care:
○ Everyone gets the best start in life
○ Delivering world class care for major health problems
○ Supporting people to age well

Question 7

Factors that influence healthcare systems
(4 marks)

Answer 7

PEST
P - Political factors (e.g. Increasing choice & competition in health + care markets)

E - Economic factors (e.g. Financial crisis causing temporary contraction of economy & slow recovery)

S - Social factors (e.g. Aging population / Large increases in some ethnic groups & geographic variations)

T- Technological factors (e.g. Increasing digitalisation of health care)

Question 8

Niche facts:
1) what are INTEGRATED CARE SYSTEMS (ICSs)?

2) Who trains health care workers?

3) How does primary dental services work in the UK

Answer 8

1) ICSs = organisations that take on greater responsibility for managing local resources & improving heath & care for their populations.

2) ‘Workforce Training & Education’, WTE (but used to be called ‘Health Education England’, HEE)

3) Since 2006, primary dental services run on contracting routes based on units of dental activity (UDAs)