Edinburgh Health Services
State healthcare in the UK is run by the
National Health Service (NHS). It is paid for by taxation and is
free at the point of care. NHS Lothian runs 26 hospitals in
Edinburgh and the Lothians, including specialist dental and eye
hospitals and various local hospitals. Edinburgh has two main
hospitals: the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and the Western General,
both run by NHS Lothian and within easy reach of the city
centre.
General Practices (GPs) are available locally,
offering access to locally based health advice and treatment. GPs
provide access to both doctors and nurses.
In 2002 - 2004 the average life expectancy of
a male living in Edinburgh City Region was 75 years and for a
female, 79.5 years. The Scottish averages were 74 years for males
and 79 years for females.
Private healthcare is also well represented in
Edinburgh by private health institutions such as BUPA and through
private practice at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and St John’s
Hospital.
NHS Borders, NHS Fife and NHS Forth Valley
administer the areas of the Wider Edinburgh City Region.
