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Overview of the Healthcare System in the UK
- The National Health Service (NHS) is the public healthcare system in the UK.
- The NHS provides most services free of charge.
- There are over 1,600 NHS hospitals in the UK.
- Some NHS trusts operate multiple hospital sites.
- Around 750,000 people work in care homes across the UK, with over 600,000 in England alone.
Care Home Statistics
- In 2019, there were approximately 17,000 nursing and residential care homes in England, accommodating about 400,000 people.
- In 2022, there were over 17,000 care homes across the UK, with approximately 70% being residential care homes and 30% nursing homes.
- Care homes offer varying levels of support, from daily living assistance to medical care.
- Costs for care homes differ based on location and services needed.
Healthcare Facilities and Staffing
- The NHS employs over 1.5 million staff, including in its 1,229 hospitals.
- This figure encompasses trust and private hospitals.