Text A. The National Health Service

The National Health Service (NHS) was set up in 1948 in the UK. It was born out of an ideal that good health care should be available to all, regardless of wealth.

Nowadays the NHS is the world’s largest publicly funded health service. It covers everything from antenatal screening and routine treatment for coughs and colds to open-heart surgery, accidents and emergency treatment and end-of-life care. Nationwide, the NHS employs more than 1.5 m people, including some 90,000 hospital doctors, 35,000 general practitioners (GPs), 400,000 nurses and 16,000 ambulance staff.

Anyone who is resident in the UK (more than 60 m people) can use its services free of charge, with the exception of charges for some prescriptions and optical and dental services. Primary care is provided via a local GP, NHS walk-in centres, dentist, pharmacist and optician. NHS Direct is also responsible for providing health care advice and information 24 hours a day via the Internet and over the telephone.

The Hospital Service comprises different kinds of hospitals, both general and special (including children’s hospitals, mental hospitals, maternity homes, sanatoria, rehabilitation centres, etc.). Specialized clinics provide treatment for all kinds of diseases: cardiovascular, respiratory, mental, orthopaedic and other illnesses, antenatal and postnatal advice and child guidance are also given.

In the UK life expectancy has been rising and infant mortality has been falling since the NHS was established. Both figures compare favourably with other nations. Surveys also show that patients are generally satisfied with the care they receive from the NHS. Importantly, people who have had recent direct experience of the NHS tend to report being more satisfied than people who have not.

8. Read additional information on the NHS:

Do you know that for the NHS a typical day includes:   ■ Over 835,000 people visiting their GP practice or practice nurse ■ Almost 50,000 people visiting accident or emergency departments ■ 49,000 outpatient consultations ■ 94,000 people admitted to hospital as an emergency admission ■ 36,000 people in hospital for planned treatment ■ 28,000 sight tests being carried out ■ 18,000 calls to NHS Direct

9. Answer the questions using the text:

1. When was the NHS set up?

2. What medical treatment does the NHS cover?

3. How many employees does it comprise?

4. What services provide primary care?

5. What medical institutions are there within the Hospital Service?

6. What kinds of diseases are treated in specialized clinics?

7. Are people satisfied with the care they receive from the NHS?

8. How have life expectancy and infant mortality changed since the establishment of the NHS?

10. Translate the word combinations into English using active vocabulary:

1. государственная служба здравоохранения; 2. независимо от богатства; 3. от лечения кашля и простуды до операции на открытом сердце; 4. круглосуточно; 5. включать различные типы больниц; 6. реабилитационный центр; 7. родильные дома и санатории; 8. служба экстренной медицинской помощи; 9. врач общей практики; 10. прямая линия государственной службы здравоохранения.

11. Replace the word combinations in bold type with active vocabulary. Translate the sentences:

1. Any patient will be able to pre-book an appointment or simply walk in and see a doctor ornurse. 2. You can get the information through the Internet. 3. Not all hospitals have an emergency unit. 4. The NHS was established on 5 July, 1948. 5. The Hospital Service comprises general and special hospitals. 6. Accident and Emergency departments treat patients with serious injuries or diseases. 7. Nurse-led centres are primary care institutions. 8. Infant death rate has been falling since the NHS was established.