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​About the NHS

1) When was the NHS set up?

Find out more about life before the NHS, the creation and where it is today.

2) How is the NHS funded?

The NHS is mainly funded through general tax and supplemented by National Insurance contributions (NICs). Here’s a breakdown, the Spending Review process and how spend differs across the UK.

3) How many NHS hospitals are there in England?

Each day, thousands of people visit GP practices and A&E departments across the UK. But how many hospitals are there? And which are the best performing hospitals?

4) How many patients are treated by the NHS?

Read the NHS statistics on patient activity and cost of treatment.

5) Who has to pay for NHS treatment in the UK?

​The NHS is a service that is free at the point of access, however there are some circumstances in which you may have to pay or where the treatment you want or need is not available through the NHS.

NHS careers

6) Why the NHS is worlds apart

Find out why the NHS is a fantastic employer.

7) What NHS jobs are there?

There are more than 350 different NHS careers; here’s a general outline of what some of these roles look like.

8) What benefits do you get working for the NHS?

Find out more about the NHS benefits package, including the NHS pension scheme, NHS salaries, NHS employment policies, NHS discounts & more…

9) How much money does a nurse earn in the UK?

Nursing salaries in the UK are determined by the NHS banding system, agenda for change and the NHS New Pay Deal.

10) How much money does a doctor earn in the UK?

Find out how much doctors in the UK earn on average and how many hours you'll be contracted to work.

11) How much money does an allied health professional earn in the UK?

How much an allied health professional can expect to earn in the UK will depend on experience, length of service, qualification and what your profession is.

12) How many hours is full time in the NHS?

Find out the standard working hours of an NHS employee, what Agenda for Change is responsible for and more about the Improving Working Lives initiative?

13) How do I become a nurse in the UK?

Once you have a degree, you’ll likely need a minimum of six months of experience (within the last two years) before you’ll be considered for a UK nursing role.

14) How do I become a physiotherapist in the UK?

There’s just under 45,000 physiotherapists in England and Wales, yet the National Health Service (NHS) vacancy rate is anywhere between 6-20%.

15) How do I become a doctor in the UK?

Doctors perform a crucial role in making sure that people receive the right treatment and care. In return, they can expect to earn a good salary and have a wide range of specialisms to choose from.

16) How do I become an occupational therapist in the UK?

Given their wide-reaching role, there are over 52 million occupational therapists working in the UK.

17) How do I become a radiographer in the UK?

​There’s a national shortage of radiographers in the UK, making radiography an accessible practice area for international applicants.

18) How do I become a midwife in the UK?

​Currently, there are around 25,000 registered midwives working in the UK, who provide care and support to expectant parents before, during and after the arrival of their baby.

19) The NHS pay deal 2022. How does it affect you?

In August, the government announced the 2022-23 Agenda for Change pay settlement for NHS staff. How does it affect the basic pay of the different professionals working for the NHS?

Find out more about moving to the UK or requirements for overseas workers. For more specific queries, get in touch with Sanctuary International.