Introduction
The improved social, political, and economic developments in England have necessitated efficient and quality healthcare services. The country’s healthcare system is universal and publicly funded. The residents have the option of choosing private insurance services if they need healthcare services of a quality that matches their needs. Meanwhile, the U.S. system is structured differently from England’s, with services provided by private and for-profit organizations. Although England’s and the U.S. healthcare systems are differently structured, they are efficient and of high quality.
Access to Care Issues
England is one of the most socially and economically developed countries, making it easy for its residents to access healthcare services. However, workforce shortages, increasing privatization, and inequalities encumber access to healthcare in England (Shrotri et al., 2022). There have been significant workforce shortages in areas such as general practice and nursing, making it difficult for patients to access quality healthcare services.
Additionally, in the country, services such as dentistry are being privatized, limiting people from low-income families from accessing them (Davies et al., 2021). Furthermore, being a diverse country, there have been increasing cases of discrimination against ethnic minorities and patients from dysfunctional families. Addressing workforce shortages, inequality, and increased privatization of the country’s healthcare system will promote access to care.
Health Disparities
While England’s healthcare system is effective, it is subject to several disparities. Racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and geographical disparities are prevalent in the country. Increased racism and discrimination against the Black, Asian, and minority ethnic (BAME) groups have led to undesired health outcomes in England (Shrotri et al., 2022).
BAME groups experience language barriers and, to some extent, economic difficulties in accessing healthcare services. For the geographical disparities, people living in rural areas have problems accessing facilities that offer quality care. The English government has taken the necessary steps and actions to address the health disparities in the country.
Financing Mechanisms
A practical and sufficient healthcare financing system is crucial for quality care. England’s healthcare financing system is structured to promote universal coverage. The financing mechanism involves the National Health Service (NHS), which provides healthcare to all residents (Davies et al., 2021).
The NHS funds come from general taxation, with the government providing its budget. Additionally, the organization gets its funds from national insurance contributions by employees and employers (Alderwick, 2022). The public funding system ensures that healthcare services are available for all.
Comparison to the U.S.
England and the U.S. are developed countries with the most accessible healthcare systems. In both countries, socioeconomic, racial, and ethnic disparities are common, limiting access to care by BAME groups (Davies et al., 2021). However, the two countries have adopted different structures of healthcare service delivery systems.
Unlike in England, the U.S. healthcare services are funded by a combination of private health insurance and government programs (Alderwick, 2022). While the NHS operates England’s system, the U.S. system is largely privatized. Consequently, healthcare services in the U.S. are more expensive than in England. Although the two countries have different healthcare system structures, they have limited healthcare issues.
Conclusion
England is a developed country with an effective and accessible healthcare system. The country’s social and economic developments have enhanced quality healthcare services. Workforce shortages, inequality, and privatization of some health sectors are detrimental to healthcare accessibility in the country. While racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic health disparities are prevalent, the country’s public funding system has boosted quality care for all. England has a different healthcare structure from that of the U.S., but it provides quality and highly accessible services.
Reflection
Analysing England’s healthcare system was consistent with the course contents and objectives. For instance, the analysis of the financing mechanisms of the country’s healthcare system helped in achieving the learning outcome of understanding the basic principles of healthcare finance. The concept of resource management can be applied in the English context to address socioeconomic disparities in its healthcare system. The major success I experienced during the assignment writing was an in-depth understanding of English healthcare delivery systems. However, I had challenges accessing articles that specifically addressed my research areas.
References
Alderwick, H. (2022). Is the NHS overwhelmed?BMJ, 376(376), o51. Web.
Davies, J., Cooper, R. E., Moncrieff, J., Montagu, L., Rae, T., & Parhi, M. (2021). The costs incurred by the NHS in England due to the unnecessary prescribing of dependency-forming medications. Addictive Behaviors, 125, 107143. Web.
Shrotri, M., Krutikov, M., Nacer-Laidi, H., Azmi, B., Palmer, T., Giddings, R., Fuller, C., Irwin-Singer, A., Baynton, V., Tut, G., Moss, P., Hayward, A., Copas, A., & Shallcross, L. (2022). Duration of vaccine effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 infection, hospitalisation, and death in residents and staff of long-term care facilities in England (VIVALDI): A prospective cohort study. The Lancet. Healthy Longevity, 3(7), e470–e480. Web.