ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines recent reforms and a brief summary of the structure of the NHS, both nationally and locally. It also reviews healthcare reforms in a worldwide context. Hospital episodes statistics (HES) waiting times are worked out as the maximum waiting time and timed from the date at which the decision is taken to put the patient on a waiting list, until the point at which they are admitted and the treatment takes place. HES is the data source for a wide range of healthcare analysis for the NHS, government and many other organisations and individuals. Since its launch the NHS has grown to become the world's largest publicly funded health service. It is also one of the most efficient, most egalitarian and most comprehensive. The NHS is financed mainly through taxation so it relies on Parliament for its funds, and has to account to Parliament for their use through the Secretary of State for Health, and the cabinet member.
