About NHS services
Services commissioned by NHS England
NHS England is responsible for planning and funding some NHS services. The main services we commission are:
- Specialised services that support people with a range of rare and complex conditions.
- Health and justice. This is a range of healthcare services that support children and adults throughout the youth justice and criminal justice systems in England and includes including healthcare in prison.
- Military Healthcare
NHS England also works closely with UK Health Security Agency and the Department of Health and Social Care to provide and commission a range of public health services.
Services not commissioned by NHS England
Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for planning and funding most local NHS services. ICBs commission:
- primary care. This includes GPs, dentists, opticians and pharmacies
- secondary care (with the exception of specialised services). This includes hospital care, NHS 111 services, mental health services, out-of-hours services
Other NHS services
- Prescriptions and pharmacies
- Opticians and sight tests
- Help with health costs
- Your NHS number and how to find it
- Applying for healthcare cover abroad (GHIC and EHIC)
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) services
Visit the NHS.uk website for more information about NHS services.
How to report a patient safety incident
Find out how to report a patient safety incident.