The Healthcare Policy and Healthcare Systems course provides students with a detailed understanding of the UK healthcare system, its history, funding mechanisms, governance structures, and the current policy landscape. The course starts with an overview of the UK healthcare system, examining its historical development, the key stakeholders involved, and the role of the National Health Service (NHS) in delivering public healthcare. Students will also gain insights into the funding mechanisms for healthcare, including public and private healthcare funding, the integration of social care, and the challenges associated with financing healthcare services.

A critical component of the course is healthcare policy and governance, where students will explore the role of the UK government in shaping healthcare, the structure and governance of the NHS, and the regulatory frameworks that ensure healthcare quality. The course also covers the delivery of healthcare services, from primary care to specialized services, providing students with an understanding of how services are provided and the different levels of care available to the population.

Healthcare challenges and reforms are also addressed, with a focus on current issues facing the UK healthcare system, such as capacity, funding, and staffing shortages. The course also explores the impact of Brexit on healthcare, as well as recent reforms and initiatives aimed at addressing these challenges. Public health policies and preventative healthcare strategies are explored, emphasizing the social determinants of health and health inequalities that affect different populations.

In addition, students will gain knowledge of healthcare innovation and technology trends, including the rise of telemedicine, e-health, and the role of research and development in advancing healthcare. The ethical and legal dimensions of healthcare are also covered, focusing on patient rights, medical ethics, and the ongoing debates around end-of-life care and assisted dying. The course concludes with a comparative analysis of healthcare systems globally, allowing students to learn from international best practices and apply these lessons to the UK context.

Finally, the course looks at future trends and challenges, preparing students to understand and navigate emerging issues such as technological advancements, an aging population, and the evolving healthcare landscape in the UK.