Britain’s healthcare has been cited in a highly critical report which ranked it in 28th place out of a total of 30.
The UK has fewer doctors, nurses, hospital beds and crucial medical equipment than most other wealthy nations, according to the report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
There were just 2.8 doctors per 10,000 population in the UK in 2012, compared with an average of 3.2 doctors in other wealthy OECD countries. Nurses numbered 8.1 per 10,000 people, compared to an average of 8.9.
Another shortage was in hospital beds per head, with just 2.8 beds per 1,000 population against an OECD average of 4.8.
Report authors called the staffing figures “worrying,” and highlighted links between shortages of nurses and the Mid Staffs scandal, in which hundreds of patients died amid failings in care.
Researchers said the analysis showed the NHS was “very stretched” and likely to struggle further with an ageing population.
The UK also had less than half the amount of equipment, such as CT scanners and MRI units, than the average.
At the same time, the data showed that GPs in Britain were the best paid in the OECD countries, with self-employed practitioners earning 3.6 times the average salary.
Spending levels on health care were found to be average, putting the UK in the 16th position.
Britain shone, however, when it came to equity and access to care, gaining third place. The gap between care for those on low incomes and those on high ones was smaller than in most countries.
Israel and Turkey were the only two countries which ranked lower overall than the UK.
Comments
Jamborees at the Olympic Games notwithstanding, the evidence shows that both Labour and Conservative governments are driving the NHS into bankruptcy, and denying the level of equipment needed by the aging British population.