The UK boasts an unparalleled, publicly-funded healthcare system known as the National Health Service (NHS). Unlike many other systems around the world, accessing healthcare in the UK does not depend on insurance or payment out-of-pocket. Although NHS dominates public healthcare delivery systems, private sectors and alternative therapies are available for those able to pay.

The UK National Health Service is one of the oldest and largest universal healthcare systems worldwide. Its guiding principles include free delivery, equality and central funding. Unfortunately, however, long wait times and limited resources sometimes prevent access to care despite being among one of the best places in the world to receive quality medical attention for most conditions.

Individuals seeking access to free NHS healthcare must meet a list of criteria, which includes being ordinarily resident – meaning living there for over six months – in the UK. Non-ordinarily residents must pay for their healthcare; with some exceptions (for instance those moving from European Economic Area member states with valid EHIC cards or S2 forms being eligible).

Most healthcare services in the UK are delivered through hospitals, either NHS hospitals offering free treatment or private ones that charge. NHS Trusts oversee this system of hospitals. Each Trust manages specific areas such as maternity and surgery services or elderly care, making the NHS website your go-to place to locate a hospital that fits your needs.

In case of a serious medical emergency, visit your nearest hospital emergency department immediately. Additionally, the NHS provides an NHS 111 phone helpline which offers non-emergency advice; their centers are staffed with nurses and doctors that offer various forms of care from triage to referrals of specialists. If unsure whether an appointment should be scheduled with emergency departments it is wise to call ahead first and request one.

People requiring more intensive medical treatments are usually accommodated at hospitals that specialize in various specialties. Depending on the severity of your condition, you may be referred to one by either your GP or an ambulance service; those referred by their GP often qualify for free treatments as long as they present either an S2 form or EHIC card as proof.

Most specialist treatments in the UK are only available through NHS-run hospitals; private hospitals run by companies or charities usually charge fees. While private hospitals can often boast superior facilities and offer wider selection of treatments than their counterparts at NHS hospitals, they tend to be more costly overall.