NHS Provides the 'Best Healthcare in World', says Commonwealth Fund Report

Britain has been named as having the greatest healthcare out of 11 of the world's wealthiest countries, with the US ranked the worst despite being the most expensive.

According to a report by the Commonwealth Fund, Britain was ranked number one in nine of the 12 categories used to compile the list, including effective care and patient-centred care.

Switzerland was ranked number two overall, followed by Sweden. As well as the US, the other countries included in the report entitled Mirror Mirror on the Wall are Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and Norway.

This is the fourth time the US, ranked as the world's most expensive healthcare, has finished last in the Commonwealth Fund's report, having previously done so in 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2010.

The reports notes that the date for this year's survey was collected before President Barack Obama introduced Affordable Care Act, the so-call 'Obamacare', into the country.

"Thus, it is not surprising that the US underperforms on measures of access and equity between populations with above- average and below-average incomes," the report states.

The survey was compiled using data from questionnaires off patients and doctors, as well as evidence from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

The report states that while the UK "continues to demonstrate strong performance" across all categories, the US ranks behind most countries on "many measures of health outcomes, quality, and efficiency".

The report adds: "The most notable way the US differs from other industrialized countries is the absence of universal health insurance coverage.

"Other nations ensure the accessibility of care through universal health systems and through better ties between patients and the physician practices that serve as their medical homes.

"These findings indicate that, from the perspectives of both physicians and patients, the US health care system could do much better in achieving value for the nation's substantial investment in health."

However, despite being one of the countries which provide free health care to its citizens, Canada was ranked 10<sup>th in the list, just one above the US in last place.

The UK was previously ranked number one in the 2007 report.

This year, its healthcare has been praised for offering "universal coverage with low out-of-pocket costs while maintaining quick access to specialty services".