Health
The health care in London, and across the UK, is primarily the responsibility of the National Health Service (NHS), which is the government funded 'system' for the health care of the United Kingdom. The NHS was set up in 1948 and is now the largest organisation in Europe. It is recognised as one of the best health services in the world by the World Health Organisation but this is now changing as NHS is subjected to economic and political pressures.
The NHS provide the majority of healthcare in the UK, free of charge, from general practitioners to Accident and Emergency Departments, long-term healthcare and dentistry.
NHS services are largely "free at the point of delivery", paid for by taxes; the NHS's budget for 2006-07 is £96 billion. Employing well over 1 million people, the NHS is the largest employer in Europe and one of the largest employers in the world, (believed to be third or fifth, according to different commentators). A study by Professor Nick Bosanquet for the 'Reform' think tank predicts an annual deficit of nearly £7bn in 2010.
The government department responsible for the NHS in England is the Department of Health, headed by the Secretary of State for Health.
Private health care is also available in London. In fact, London is recognised across the world as a centre of excellence in medical practice, thus, it attracts huge number of international patients.
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Health 