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The United Kingdom government has prepared itself in the event of a swine flu pandemic. The country is one of the best-prepared nations in the world. The first pandemic has proven the government's lack of preparations.

Public sector performance in the fields of health and education in United Kingdom are critically analyzed. Choice and competition are suggested as the best ways to improve public sector performance.

A focus on the contents of British government's recent white paper on health and social care reforms is presented, and their pros and cons are discussed.

Though big amounts of money are being injected into the National Health Service, United Kingdom, the shortages are running into millions. It seems monetary constraints will prevail with the National Health Service for a short period.

The government of UK has increased education and health spending, but it must assure parents and patients that the funding is not going to be cut off in a third term. The public services battle will decide the winner of the next elections.

The United Kingdom Conservative party has revealed its plans to improve the National Healthcare Service. The plan includes a crackdown on bureaucracy and focus on outcomes. The incoming Conservative administration has committed to implementing a fully-funded health service.

National Health Service's (NHS), United Kingdom, banned health care professionals from third world countries in its department and its impact in Africa is analyzed. British health authorities also urged the international community to do ethical recruitment in health care sector.

Almost 80 cottage hospitals in United Kingdom are on verge of closure because of financial crisis. Despite such problems, health secretary Patricia Hewitt's white paper indicates that Labor party will be opening many new community hospitals. It may be recalled that recent financial problems at the National Health Service forced Sir Nigel Crisp to resign as the chief executive of NHS.

British government decision to withdraw Private Finance Initiative (PFI) in the National Health Services (NHS) debate is presented.

In an attempt to revive personalized patient care that was the norm in primary care sector not so long ago, United Kingdom's national government is shifting its focus from hospitals to family doctor services.

The National Health Service (NHS) faced a deficit of [pounds sterling]500 million as of 30 September 2004, even as finance directors are coping with new employment contracts, and adjustments to pension funds. The Agenda for Change, a new pay system covering most NHS staff is expected to cost the NHS [pounds sterling] 490 million in 2004/5 alone. A rise of 10% in emergency admissions this year has caused problems for Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) with some of them cutting routine surgeries, operating theatres and hospital beds to reduce costs. The new measures have drastically cut down waiting lists, which is a welcome sign as the PCTs scramble to increase activities under the payment by results (PBR) scheme.

Spending on the National Health Service (NHS) and education together has been increased to 12.2 % of the GDP, meaning an extra [pounds sterling] 25 billion would be spent in 2005/6. Some results were: a jump in bus passengers in London has been attributed to new buses and other facilities in a [pounds sterling] 500 million subsidy; more than 53% of 16 year olds scored with A* to C grade GCSEs compared to 45% in 1997. Sir Tony Atkinson, a distinguished academic is to present his final report on January 31 of government productivity measures to find out how to measure the link between inputs and outputs.

The government's implementation of smoking ban in the United Kingdom and the problems faced by the government in this regard are discussed. The strategies of government to make this ban successful and the support it is getting from various quarters of society are presented.

The efforts of government to provide better the services to children by adding 800 new children's centers and national service framework are discussed. The worries of child care organizations regarding timing and financial aspects are debated.

The health care activities of The Friar Park Millennium Center and surgery facility, which offers 33% extra appointments are presented. The contribution of the center to primary care access targets for a patient to see a general physician in 24hrs is discussed.

The UK government is doing a bad job promoting its health programs such as the Change4Life anti-obesity campaign and is unable to bring the message across to the people who need it. The government is also believed to be afraid to be branded as a nanny state. The message of the Change4Life campaign on the other hand, was diluted by partnerships of ministers with companies.

An assessment of the services of the National Health Service of United Kingdom (UK) is presented. It is reported that the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE), UK, released its synopsis of working principles. One of the debatable principles deals with diseases caused by a person's lifestyle choices.

The NHS will undergo three major reforms that attempt to inject dynamism into a centrally planned system and make it more responsive to patients needs. The reforms represent a greater change than even the introduction of the internal market in 1991as many opportunities are arising from it.

The mental health, though listed as high priority among government health policy in the United Kingdom, is receiving fewer funds and any marginal fund hike is nullified by the past long-standing debts. The services are suffering from budget constraints and worker shortages.

United Kingdom local governments have accepted new public health responsibilities but have expressed concerns that physicians. But councils have expressed concerns that their voice would be ignored by physicians. The government is also planning to do away with primary care trusts and strategic health authorities.

Members of parliament in the United Kingdom have criticized the government for failing to meet its target in reducing the health care gap between the rich and the poor. Health inequalities in the country has increased by four percent. Slow health improvement in the most deprived groups has also been observed.

The United Kingdom Healthcare Commission has been criticized for its approach to evaluating the cost-effectiveness of services. Economist Peter West said value for money work is a low-priority for the commission. He also said the commission is preoccupied with developing new areas of work than existing ones.

United Kingdom health secretary Alan Johnson's plan to allow patients to pay for private drugs and yet still qualify for National Health Service care is seen to cost the government. Private wings of hospitals will be used to house patients with private drugs. Comments from executives are also presented.

United Kingdom health secretary Alan Johnson has decided to let patients pay for private drugs without losing their right to free National Health Service (NHS) care. The Department of Health has been negotiating for more flexible pricing with the pharmaceutical industry. The NHS will also provide a wide-range of free medicines.

United Kingdom shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley has criticized the Healthcare Commission's performance measurement system for hospitals. Lansley has claimed that the system does not tell patients what they should know. He also said a system that can measure what happens to patients to support choice should be adopted.