About the Compendium

The OHE Compendium of Health Statistics incorporates a wealth of historical data spanning up to 50 years on:

  • demography
  • health care expenditure
  • major causes of death
  • major illnesses

UK data broken down into;

  • England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales

International comparisons of:

  • health care expenditure
  • numbers of health care practitioners

Trends in both private and public health care expenditure

Analysis and trends in NHS costs and expenditure, including:

  • cost of the NHS as % GDP
  • UK Government expenditure plans past and present

Statistically adjusted data for easy, direct comparison of information.

Throughout the Compendium, information and comparisons are provided at UK, country and regional levels where appropriate data are available. In many cases time series are presented which includes annual data as far back as 1949, the first full year of the National Health Service's life.

Compendium samples

The Compendium comprises four main sections plus a glossary and references.

Section 1

SECTION 1 gives a summary of UK demographic statistics, including the mortality and morbidity experience of the population. Comparisons are made with other European Union and OECD countries.

Section 2

SECTION 2 examines NHS and private health care expenditure and compares these with experience internationally.



Section 3

SECTION 3 provides a detailed account of NHS hospital activity, bed capacity, staffing and the latest NHS reference costs.

Section 4

SECTION 4 gives detailed coverage of the activities of the NHS Family Health Services: general medical, pharmaceutical, dental and ophthalmic; including the NHS medicines bill.