The Health System
The National Health Service (NHS) was set up on the 5th July 1948 to provide healthcare for all citizens, based on need, not the ability to pay.
That principle remains at its core. With the exception of charges for some prescriptions and optical and dental services, the NHS remains free at the point of use for anyone who is resident in the UK
Although funded centrally from national taxation, NHS services in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales are managed separately.
The NHS employs more than 1.7m people. Of those, just under half are clinically qualified, including 120,000 hospital doctors, 40,000 general practitioners (GPs), 400,000 nurses and 25,000 ambulance staff.
Lifestyle
The UK is renowned for its rich history, diverse landscapes and multicultural population. The UK comprises of four constituent nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
The UK is a progressive nation that manages to combine rich history and archaic monuments with modern architecture and a wealth of vibrant cities. Offering first-class shopping and brimming with restaurants and bars, the UK has earned a reputation as one of the world’s shopping and party hotspots. Yet, those willing to dig deeper will see that the UK has much more to offer.
Its diverse landscapes range from the snowy peaks of Scotland and beautiful Cornish coastline to the vast countryside and crystal-clear waters of the Lake District. The UK’s natural beauty is often over-looked and under-valued in light of its sprawling cities and tourist traps, but it has much to offer in terms of both dramatic scenery and a much slower pace of life. The UK boasts numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites including many castles, cathedrals and churches which both symbolisze the UK’s past and add to its charm. Its old, industrious towns are also part of the rich tapestry of UK history and offer a welcome contrast to the bustle of major cities. The UK’s literary history often precedes it given that it is the birthplace of writers such as William Shakespeare, Jane Austen, Oscar Wilde and J. K. Rowling. The UK is also the birthplace of major sports such as tennis, cricket golf, rugby and soccer.
The UK’s population is one of the most multi-ethnic in the world. London is Europe’s multicultural centre and around 300 different languages are spoken there alone. The excellence of UK education, the opportunity to learn English and the UK’s high standard of living continue to entice immigrants from Europe and beyond, resulting in a society which is as unique as it is diverse.
Despite the fact that the UK does not enjoy the same sunny weather as its European neighbours, the UK usually enjoys a warm and settled summertime where temperatures can reach the 30s and people can revel in the delights that the UK coastline has to offer. The UK has a love of foreign food and the multi-cultural nature of its society sample delicacies from around the globe no matter where you live.
Standard of Living
The UK economy is the sixth largest in the world and the second biggest economy in Europe, after Germany. London is the world's largest financial centre alongside New York City.
Cost of living in the UK differs depending on the area of the UK you live. The approximate cost for some basic necessities in the UK are:
Three course meal £25.00 - £40.00
Loaf of Bread £1.10
2 litre Milk: £1.50
Eggs dozen £1.50
Cheese (500g) Cheddar £3.00
Pasta Sauce: £1.30
Cornflakes: £2.00
Petrol (per litre): £1.30
Hourly rates of pay and salaries of doctors depend on experience/ the area of the UK you work in. To find out current hourly rates/ salaries contact one of our Recruitment Consultants.
The Environment
The UK enjoys a temperate climate which means it experiences four seasons of Spring (March to May), Summer (June to August), Autumn (September to November) and Winter (December to February).
With a temperate climate the changes between summer and winter are generally mild, rather than extreme hot or cold, though the weather can be somewhat unpredictable. The south-east of England, being closest to mainland Europe, enjoys the warmest weather overall, and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland tend to be cloudiest due to their hilly nature and proximity to the Atlantic.
The People
The UK’s immigrant population continues to grow and in mid-2006 there were around 600,000 people migrating to the UK for a year or more, the majority coming from Europe (Office for National Statistics 2006). Approximately 7.53% of the UK’s population was born overseas.
The official language of the UK is English but there are various regional languages; Welsh, Irish, Cornish and the Scottish form of Gaelic