How much do i cost the NHS?

The National Health Service (NHS) in the UK provides healthcare services to millions of patients each year, and the cost of healthcare is an important consideration for both patients and healthcare providers. For 2022/23, NHS England expects to spend approximately £153 billion looking after our health.

This money is used to fund a wide range of health and care services, including GP services, ambulance, mental health, community and hospital services, which are commissioned by the NHS, and public health. It also funds some social care services, which are mainly commissioned by local authorities. £2.7 billion of the Department of Health and Social Care’s budget is spent on administration costs for the department and the health and care system, such as departmental running costs, regulatory costs and business services e.g. the NHS payroll.

In this blog post, we will explore how much a patient costs the NHS from broken bones to missed GP appointments, including the expenses involved in primary care, hospital care, and specialised treatments. By understanding the cost of healthcare, patients can make informed decisions about their healthcare needs and better appreciate the value of the services they receive.

Diagnosis and Medical Tests

The first expense incurred by the NHS is diagnosing a patient’s medical condition. This involves carrying out medical tests such as CT scans, X-rays, and MRIs. The cost of medical tests can range from £50 for routine blood tests to over £1000 for complex diagnostic tests. Such expenses are borne by the NHS as part of the free healthcare policy.

Specialists and Referrals

If the medical tests reveal a need for specialist consultation, the NHS will refer the patient to a specialist such as a cardiologist, neurologist, or urologist. The cost of treating patients by a specialist is significantly higher than a general practitioner. A patient referred for specialist consultation will cost the NHS approximately £200 per visit.

Medication and Other Treatments

The next expense incurred by the NHS is providing medication and other treatments. Costs can vary significantly depending on the type of medication or treatment prescribed. For example, a month’s supply of painkillers can cost the NHS around £1.50, whilst a month’s supply of expensive cancer treatments can cost over £10k. In addition to medication, other treatments such as physiotherapy, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy can cost several thousands of pounds per course.

Primary Care Costs

Primary care is the first point of contact for most patients seeking medical care, and it includes general practitioners (GPs) and other healthcare professionals in community settings. According to a report by the NHS Confederation, the cost of primary care accounts for around 25% of the total NHS budget. The expenses involved in primary care include the salaries of healthcare professionals, the rent of GP surgeries, and the cost of medications prescribed.

Hospital Care Costs

Hospital care is more expensive than primary care, and patients may require hospital treatment for a broad range of medical conditions. Hospital care includes inpatient services, outpatient services, and emergency care. According to a report by the British Medical Journal, the cost of hospital care accounts for around 50% of the total NHS budget. The expenses involved in hospital care include the salaries of healthcare professionals, the cost of equipment and supplies, and the maintenance of the hospital.

Hospitalisation is often one of the most significant expenses for the NHS. The cost of overnight hospital stays in the UK can be up to £483 per night, excluding surgery costs. The cost of surgery will depend on the type of surgical procedure being carried out, but can cost up to £5000 for more complicated surgeries such as hip replacements, and the cost of medications and other treatments.

Specialised Treatments

In addition to primary care and hospital care, patients may require specialised treatments such as chemotherapy, dialysis, and organ transplants. These treatments are expensive, and the cost can vary depending on the specific treatment and the severity of the medical condition. In some cases, patients may need to travel to other cities or countries for specialised treatments, which can increase the cost of healthcare.

Follow-up and Rehabilitation

After the treatment is completed, the NHS will follow up with the patient to monitor their progress and ensure that the medical condition is under control. Depending on the severity of the medical condition being treated, the NHS may also provide rehabilitation services such as counselling or physiotherapy.

How do I find out how much I have cost the NHS?

To provide transparency on the cost of healthcare in the UK, GoCompare.com has an interactive tool called The Bill of Health, that allows users to calculate the total amount the NHS has spent on their treatments. This tool breaks down the costs of various NHS services, including GP appointments, prescriptions, operations, and emergency room visits. It is important to note all costs listed in this interactive tool are approximate and should not be relied upon as definitive. Average costs have been sourced from a variety of publications.

Additionally, users can input their annual salary to see how much they contribute to the NHS each year. This new resource not only sheds light on the cost of healthcare in the UK, but it also serves as a helpful tool for individuals to understand their healthcare spending and contributions to the national healthcare system.

Here are some examples of NHS cost per appointment or procedure according to GoCompare.com:

• Ambulance call-out – £269.00
• Broken arm – £3116.00
• Broken leg – £5684.00

Costs to Patients

The National Health Service (NHS) is one of the most admired organisations in the world. It provides essential medical services to people in the United Kingdom, and it’s funded through taxation. Generally, most NHS services are free at the point of use, meaning that patients do not have to pay for medical consultations, appointments, or treatment. However, there are certain costs that patients may have to face, depending on the specific type of care they require.

For example, patients may have to pay for prescription costs, dental care, optical care or hearing aids. Nevertheless, those on low incomes, children, and elderly people can qualify for financial support and free services from the NHS. Patients may also pay for non-clinical items like parking fees and refreshments during long hospital visits. While it is undeniable that the NHS offers affordable healthcare, it is essential to recognize the other expenses that patients may need to pay.

Understanding the cost of healthcare is an important consideration for patients seeking medical care in the UK. Primary care, hospital care, and specialised treatments all come with expenses, and patients should be aware of these costs when making healthcare decisions. By understanding how much a patient costs the NHS, patients can make informed decisions about their healthcare needs and better appreciate the value of the services they receive.

Sources

• NHS England » Our funding
• The Bill of Health – GoCompare
• Key facts and figures about the NHS – The King’s Fund
• Estates Returns Information Collection, Summary page and dataset for ERIC 2021/22 – NDRS