Changes in per capita spending on healthcare in the UK since 2005

For those of you who are wondering why the NHS in England is in so much difficulty at present, look no further than this OECD graph for the main reason. Until 2009, per capita healthcare spending in the UK was increasing by around 3.6% per year. Since 2009, per capita healthcare spending in the UK has actually been declining by around 0.1% per year. Since 2009, the NHS has also had to manage the growing number of older people in the UK (who have the greatest need for health and social services) and deal with (in England) the consequences of the major organisational changes brought about by the 2012 Health and Social Care Act.

You can view more healthcare statistics on the OECD Health Statistics 2015 website.

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