The National Health Service (NHS) provides healthcare to the population of England. It is a system based on clinical need, not the ability to pay. The NHS was established in 1948 and has become a valued and trusted national resource.
The NHS is large and complex. In 2010 the NHS employed 1,431,557 people making it one of the biggest employers in the world, alongside the Chinese army and the Indian railways.
London makes a considerable contribution to the NHS:
- 218,419 people were employed in the National Health Service in London (2010)
- 12,462,021 outpatients attended appointments at London hospitals (2009)
- There were 27,356 doctors and dentists and 70,380 nurses working in the NHS in London (2010)
- London employed 15% of the NHS workforce (2010)
More information
Read the supporting articles and case studies on the left hand side to find out more about the NHS in London.
