A2: The healthcare sector

• What does 'NHS' stand for?

  National Health Service
• Who/what is the NHS funded by?

  The taxpayer
• Who is responsible for making decisions about funding allocation and policy for the NHS?

  The Government
• What does the NHS do?

  Provides healthcare free at the point of use (other than some prescription and dental charges) throughout the United Kingdom.
• What body is responsible for managing national health provision in England?

  NHS England
• What groups provide specific services needed in a local area?

  Clinical commissioning groups (CCGs)
• Who owns/runs private healthcare services?

  Private individuals or companies.
• What is a non-profit organisation?

  An organisation that operates for a social or public benefit rather than for profit.
• What is judicial healthcare?

  Healthcare provided for individuals who are detained in prison or police custody.
• What are community healthcare services?

  Preventative care, treatment, and support provided to individuals in a community setting (for example, care given in a person's home or GP surgery by health visitors or occupational therapists).
• What are some examples of private healthcare services?

  Private residential homes, non-NHS dentists and opticians, BUPA and Nuffield Health Hospitals.
• Name two environments where judicial care is provided.

  In a prison or in an outside hospital
• What is primary care?

  The care an individual receives at the first contact with a medical practitioner. Here the patient will be questioned, examined and may be referred for further treatment.
• What are some examples of primary care providers?

  GP, dentist, optician, A&E, NHS 999 and 111, community health services.
• What is secondary care?

  Specialised medical care provided by medical specialists upon referral from primary care providers. Includes maternity services.
• What is tertiary care?

  Specialist medical care provided by practitioners who focus on particular diseases or anatomical systems.
• What are the features of tertiary care?

  often long-term, highly specialised, can be used as respite for families, includes palliative care.
• What is meant by a 'holistic approach'?

  Considering the whole system or person, rather than focusing on the part that requires treatment.
• What does 'public participation' in primary care mean?

  Taking part in a PPG (Public Participation Group) to give feedback on local area services.
• What organisations make up the NHS?

  National bodies that oversee and regulate the services, CCGs, healthcare provider organisations
• What is palliative care?

  Care given to a patient suffering from a terminal illness, aims to achieve the best quality of life possible until their death. It is a holistic approach and supports the individual and their family.
• What personal factors would dictate the services that an individual would have to access?

  Pre-existing health conditions, physical disabilities, mental health conditions, learning difficulties, different ages, social care needs
• What are the barriers to accessing healthcare services?

  Socioeconomic, psychological, physical, cultural and language, geographical
• What is CAD/CAM/3D printing used for in healthcare?

  Surgery preparation, custom-made prosthetics, 3D printing of surgical instruments, bioprinting tissues and organs.
• What can health implants be used for?


  To treat and monitor health conditions.
• What are some of the benefits of having robotic surgery?

  A smaller incision, less damage to healthy tissue, less pain, shorter hospital stay, less visible scars, faster recovery.
• When was the NHS founded?

  5th July 1948
• What are the essential principles of the NHS?

  Everyone should be entitled to use it, healthcare provided should be free of charge, it should be based on need rather than the ability to pay for it.
• When were prescription charges brought into the NHS?

  1952, removed in 1965, reinstated in 1968
• How has the role of a nurse changed since the NHS was introduced?

  Nursing is now a degree-level profession and nurses provide more complex care that doctors previously gave.
• What are some examples of the types of policies that an organisation would have?

  Health and safety, whistleblowing, safeguarding, storage and dispensing of medicines, confidentiality, equal opportunities
• What is whistleblowing?

  When someone reveals serious wrongdoing within an organisation to an outside authority so that it can be investigated.
• Why is it important to adhere to policies?


  Consistency, safety of service providers and users, prevent errors, prevent health and wellbeing, provide quality standardised care
• What are the possible consequences of not following policy?

  Health and safety risks, harm to self and individual, termination of employment, negative media coverage, deregistration, inspections, criminal prosecution.
• How is the public sector funded?

  National insurance, income tax, government health sector policy
• How is the private sector funded?

  Health insurance premiums, one-off payments for treatment, government health sector policy
• How is the voluntary and charity sector funded?

  Fundraising, donations, grants
• What is evidence-based practice?

  Using research, clinical expertise, and patient values to make informed decisions about patient care.
• What is a flat organisational structure?

  Few or no levels of middle management, employees report directly to executives.
• What are some of the pros of a flat organisational structure?


  • Gives employees more responsibility
  • Fosters more open communication
  • Improves co-ordination and speed of implementing new ideas