Doctors rate NHS as best in the world

Britain's family doctors, not noted for their optimism about the NHS, delivered a boost to the Government yesterday by rating the health care delivered in the UK as equal to the best in the world.

A survey of more than 10,000 primary care doctors in 11 countries worldwide found that the NHS was ranked top in six categories, including biggest improvement in quality of care, and close to the top in most of the rest by the frontline staff who deliver the care. Its lowest ranking was on the level of bureaucracy.

The annual survey by the US Commonwealth Fund, published in the journal Health Affairs, was welcomed by ministers for demonstrating that the massive investment in the NHS over the last decade has paid dividends. The 11 countries involved in the survey were Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, the US and the UK.

The Health Secretary Andy Burnham, who is visiting Washington, congratulated NHS staff on a "magnificent achievement". He said: "This is an important moment for the NHS. The journey to overhaul the quality of care over the last 10 years has paid off."