[An assessment of the social welfare system in the United Kingdom]

This report describes the British social welfare system with reference to expected future developments in Japanese medical care. In developed countries where the average life expectancy is high, a large percentage of the population is elderly, resulting in high social welfare expenditure. In Britain, the "social welfare state", the average life expectancy is similar to that of other developed countries, while expenditure by the Department of Health and Social Security is considered to be the lowest. For example, expenditure on medical care for an average elderly man is approximately 60% of that in Japan. Some of the reasons are as follows. The family practitioner services are medical services given to patients by doctors of their own choice. The family doctor undertakes the initial diagnosis and management, but may refer the patients for either specialized services or hospital consultation. The general basis for remuneration of the family doctor is a standard capitation fee and an allowance. This system does not lead to over diagnosis or excessive treatment. The numbers of medical consultations performed and prescriptions issued by British doctors is lower than that in Japan. In Japan the number of elderly persons who are incapable of caring for themselves is increasing and poses not only a financial burden, but also a social problem. In the UK, these patients are cared for by social welfare workers (Japanese nurses) or at health centres (unlike Japanese hospitals and homes for the aged) which is less costly than inpatient hospital care. The Government is responsible for the National Health Service.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)