The National Health Service (NHS) is a publicly funded healthcare system in the United Kingdom. Established in 1948, it provides a wide range of medical services to residents, including hospital care, general practitioner visits, and emergency services. The NHS aims to ensure that healthcare is available to everyone, regardless of their financial situation. The funding for the NHS primarily comes from taxation, allowing patients to access services without direct charges at the point of use. This system is designed to promote health equity and improve public health outcomes across the population, making it one of the largest and most comprehensive healthcare systems in the world.