A2.1 The diversity of employers and organisations within the healthcare sector

Qualification: T Level Technical Qualification in Health
Unit: Core
Learning outcome: A2: The healthcare sector
Assessment criteria: A2.1 The diversity of employers and organisations within the healthcare sector

• There is a wide range of employers and organisations within the healthcare sector
• The biggest healthcare employer in the UK is the National Health Service (NHS), which provides UK residents with free healthcare at the point of use
• The NHS is funded by UK taxpayers
• The NHS is overseen at the national level by NHS England
• At the local level, Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) plan and commission service within their region
• Other NHS services include hospitals, GP surgeries, ambulance services, community services (e.g. health visitors for newborns etc.), mental health services, sexual health services, dentists, opticians, pharmacies etc.
• Although most services are free, there is a small set charge for prescription medication, unless the patient is exempt
• As well as the publicly-funded NHS, there is also a private healthcare sector
• Organisations that work in the private sector are businesses and need to make a profit, so will charge patients for their services – this can either be direct payment or via insurance premiums
• Benefits of private healthcare can include quicker referrals, one-to-one nursing, additional privacy and access to the latest techniques and technology
• There are also third-sector organisations that provide services for the benefit of communities rather than to turn over a profit – this includes voluntary organisations, not-for-profits and charities
• The care sector is distinct from the health sector, although they often work together in partnership
• The care sector includes government bodies, such as the social services department of local authorities, as well as private organisations, such as care homes, domiciliary care, day centres/respite care and supported living services.