Performing Arts Medicine in Britain

Abstract

Britain provides universal health coverage free at the point of delivery for its citizens (and most visitors) provided by the National Health Service (NHS). The NHS was established in 1947 in the flush of post-World War II idealism and was planned and structured along contemporary socialist economic and management principles--a large centrally funded and run government monopoly. It is huge, for it employs currently 1.5 million people and it remains one of the last and certainly the largest bastion of such economic thinking and planning in Britain and in Europe. In its 50 years of existence, it has at times provided excellent care for the British nation. But at this point in time, top-heavy with management and administration, chronically underfunded and understaffed, unresponsive to the rapidly changing needs of society and of developing medical technology, it is on the verge of crumbling. Inherent in such a system is the lack of recognition of individuality or of an individual patient’s special needs, and no group of patients feels this more acutely than performers.