Health sector overview
The NHS is undergoing the biggest period of change in its history. The challenges it faces as it strives to achieve financial balance are well documented. However, it remains one of the largest employers in the world and offers a huge choice of career paths.
The NHS is the largest employer in Europe - few other organisations generate such passion or column inches. Despite being recognised as one the best health services in the world, the NHS is striving to improve service and efficiency levels in the face of increasing demands from a growing and ageing population.
The recent re-configuration of SHAs and PCTs has led to a reduction in the overall number of these organisations, yet the re-structuring is likely to bring many newly created jobs.The continued push by trusts and MHTs towards attaining foundation status is part of an exciting period of change.
Foundation Trusts have been given more financial and operational freedom than other NHS Trusts and represent the Government’s commitment to de-centralising the control of public services. The Government's aim is for all NHS trusts to reach a standard which would enable them to apply for NHS foundation trust status by 2008.
NHS accountants are at the forefront of this revolution and you will play an integral part in service development and improvement. You would probably start your NHS career in the following areas:
Department of Health
Supports the government to improve the health and wellbeing of the population.
Strategic Health Authorities
SHAs manage the NHS locally and are a key link between the Department of Health and the NHS. On 1 July 2006, the number of SHAs in England was reduced from 28 to 10. Fewer, more strategic organisations should deliver stronger commissioning functions, leading to improved patient services and better taxpayer value.
SHAs are responsible for:
- Ensuring local health services performa and are of a high quality
- Increasing local health capacity
- Ensuring national priorities ie. cancer services improvement programmes - are integrated into local health service plans
Primary Care Trusts and Teaching PCTs
Your PCT will work with local authorities and other agencies that provide health and social care locally to make sure that your local community's needs are being met.
NHS Walk-in Centres and NHS Direct are also part of primary care. All these services are managed by the local PCT. Despite a reconfiguration exercise that has resulted in a significant reduction in numbers, PCTs are at the centre of the NHS and will get 75% of the NHS budget.
Being local, these organisations are best positioned to understand community needs, so they can make sure that the organisations providing health and social care services are working effectively.
Acute Trusts
Hospitals are managed by Acute Trusts, which make sure that hospitals provide high quality health care, and that they spend their money efficiently. They also decide on a strategy for how the hospital will develop, so that services improve.
Acute Trusts employ a large part of the NHS workforce, including nurses, doctors, and all other types of clinical staff. There are many other non-clinical staff including finance, IT and administrative workers.
Some Acute Trusts are regional or national centres for more specialised care. Others are attached to universities and help train health professionals. Acute Trusts can also provide services in the community, for example through health centres, clinics or in people's homes.
Mental Health Trusts
MHTs provide health and social care services for people with mental health problems. Mental Health services can be provided through your GP, other primary care services, or through more specialist care. This might include counselling and other psychological therapies, community and family support, or general health screening.
For example, people suffering bereavement, depression, stress or anxiety can get help from primary care or informal community support. If they need more involved support , they can be referred for specialist care.
