Interview Questions: NHS Structure
The NHS, or National Health Service to use it’s official name, was founded in 1948 as a free health service to all UK residents. Currently the NHS in England alone deals with over 1 million patients every 36hours. In order to run smoothly and deal with such a large volume of patients, the NHS has to have a clear structure for spending.
NHS Structure
Government Level – HM Treasury
The government decide how much money the NHS receives and also do some top-level priority setting with regards to setting healthcare targets nationwide.
Department of Health
The Department of Health is headed by the Secretary of State for Health, who at the time of writing this is Matt Hancock. The department is in charge of passing money onto several areas, with the largest ‘Lions” share going to NHS England.
NHS England
Created in 2013, NHS England is ultimately in charge of the commissioning of NHS services, as well as setting NHS Strategy. They divide their allocated monies between the Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) and Nationally Commissioned Services(NCSs).
Integrated Care Systems (ICSs)
Clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) were introduced under the Health and Social Care Act 2012, replacing primary care trusts from 1 April 2013.
However, on 1 July 2022, the Health and Care Act 2022 established integrated care systems (ICSs) as legal entities, leading to the closure of CCGs.
ICSs are collaborations between organisations working together to plan and fund health and care services, aiming to improve the wellbeing of those who live and work in their areas.
Every ICS has two statutory components: an integrated care partnership (ICP) and an integrated care board (ICB).
Across England, these partnerships bring together public services such as the NHS, GPs, local authorities, and the community and voluntary sectors to design and deliver health and care services that are tailored to the needs of local populations, ensuring they are high quality and cost-effective.
Partnerships for health and care planning have been in place for several years. The formalisation of ICSs helps to provide more accessible, coordinated, and efficient care, improving people’s overall health.
To learn more about integrated care, visit the integrated care web pages on NHS England.
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What other organisations should I be aware of?
There are many different organisations that are used in addition to those mentioned above which heavily impact on the NHS and its running. These include NHS Improvement and the Care Quality Commission.
NHS Improvement
Responsible for overseeing NHS foundation trusts, NHS trusts and independent providers to ensure patients consistent safety and high quality of compassionate care within local health systems, with a focus on financial sustainability.
Care Quality Commission (CQC)
The independent regulator of health and social care in England, the CQC is responsible for monitoring, inspecting and regulating health and social care services. They regularly publish their findings with ratings to aid patients in choosing their care.
Sample Question and Answer:
Q: How is the NHS structured today?
A: The National Health Services structure is constantly evolving with the needs of the nation, making it complex in its structure. Broadly speaking there is a four tiered structure from government level to the Integrated Care Systems.
Starting at the Government level, the NHS budget is set and passed on to the Secretary of State for Health at the Department of Health. Currently this is Wes Streeting, where he oversees the division of funding between government set top-priority projects, and NHS England, where most of the funding is sent.
NHS England, originally created in 2013, is in charge of the commissioning of all healthcare across England. This is split into Nationally Commissioned Services, as well as Integrated Care Systems (taking over from CCGs).
Of course there are many more organisations involved in the running of the NHS, including the CQC, who focus on regulating health and social care in England, and NHS Improvement, who are currently focusing mainly on the financial sustainability of the NHS.
In summary the NHS has quite a complex structure, but in broad terms is made up of four levels: the government, the Department of Health, NHS England and the Integrated Care Systems based across England.
Frequently Asked Question
→What is the NHS (National Health Service) Structure?
The NHS Structure is a complex organization that includes multiple levels of management and administration, as well as a variety of health care providers, such as hospitals, clinics, and general practitioners.
→What are the key components of the NHS Structure?
The key components of the NHS Structure include the Department of Health, NHS England, Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs), NHS Trusts, and healthcare providers such as hospitals and general practitioners.
→What is the role of healthcare providers in the NHS Structure?
Healthcare providers, such as hospitals and general practitioners, are responsible for delivering healthcare services to patients. They work in partnership with other parts of the NHS Structure to ensure that patients receive high-quality care.
→What are some challenges facing the NHS Structure?
Some challenges facing the NHS Structure include increasing demand for services, budget constraints, and workforce shortages. These challenges require innovative solutions and effective management to ensure that patients receive high-quality care.
→How can I prepare for an interview about the NHS Structure?
Applicants can prepare for an interview about the NHS Structure by researching the organization and its key components, understanding current healthcare issues and trends, and preparing to discuss their own knowledge and experience related to healthcare management and administration.
→What are some common interview questions about the NHS Structure?
Common interview questions about the NHS Structure may include: What do you know about the NHS Structure? What are the key challenges facing the NHS? How would you address workforce shortages in the NHS? How do you stay up to date with changes in healthcare policy and regulations? How do you prioritize competing demands in a healthcare setting?
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