Understanding the NHS and healthcare systems

Everyday English Conversations

A printable worksheet for conversation-based English lessons.

Difficulty: Intermediate B1

PDF: Understanding the NHS and healthcare systems

Warm-up

How often do you see a doctor?

Vocabulary Match

services •• paid for
emergencies •• money
appointment •• protection
funded •• urgent
insurance •• meeting
salary •• help

Vocabulary Answers

serviceshelp
emergenciesurgent
appointmentmeeting
fundedpaid for
insuranceprotection
salarymoney

Conversation

Fill in the blanks with words from above.

Nina and Raj talk about the NHS in the UK. They discuss how it works, its funding, and the need for private insurance.
Nina:Hi, Raj! How are you today?
Raj:I'm good, thanks. I was just reading about the NHS. Do you know much about it?
Nina:Yes, a bit. The NHS is the National Health Service in the UK. It provides healthcare for everyone, and most ________ are free.
Raj:That sounds great! But if it's free, how is it paid for?
Nina:It's ________ by taxes. People in the UK pay part of their ________ to support it.
Raj:Interesting. So, do people still need health ________?
Nina:Not always. Some people get private insurance to see a doctor more quickly, but the NHS covers most things.
Raj:I see. It sounds like a good system. Is it easy to get an ________?
Nina:It can be busy, but you can usually book one. For ________, hospitals are open 24/7.
Nina:Hi, Raj! How are you today?
Raj:I'm good, thanks. I was just reading about the NHS. Do you know much about it?
Nina:Yes, a bit. The NHS is the National Health Service in the UK. It provides healthcare for everyone, and most services are free.
Raj:That sounds great! But if it's free, how is it paid for?
Nina:It's funded by taxes. People in the UK pay part of their salary to support it.
Raj:Interesting. So, do people still need health insurance?
Nina:Not always. Some people get private insurance to see a doctor more quickly, but the NHS covers most things.
Raj:I see. It sounds like a good system. Is it easy to get an appointment?
Nina:It can be busy, but you can usually book one. For emergencies, hospitals are open 24/7.

Quiz

  1. What does the NHS stand for?
  2. How is the NHS funded?
  3. Do people always need private health insurance in the UK?
  4. Are hospitals open for emergencies?

Quiz Answers (examples)

  1. National Health Service
  2. By taxes
  3. Not always
  4. Yes, 24/7

True or False

  1. The NHS is a private healthcare service. T F
  2. People in the UK pay part of their salary to support the NHS. T F
  3. It is always easy to get an appointment with the NHS. T F

True or False Answers

  1. False
  2. True
  3. False

Discussion

  1. Have you ever needed to go to the hospital?
  2. What do you think about free healthcare?
  3. Do you have health insurance?
  4. How do you usually book a doctor's appointment?
  5. What would you do in a medical emergency?

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