NHS ranked as second-best health service in global survey

The UK’s NHS has emerged in second place in a major survey of the health services of seven developed countries, with the Netherlands taking the top spot.

According to the Commonwealth Fund’s report, the UK was ranked first out of the seven countries for efficiency and also scored highest under access in terms of costs.

However, in terms of quality of care, the NHS was ranked worst for patient-centred delivery and second-to-last for providing “long, healthy, productive lives”.

The survey was compiled with the input of 27,000 patients and primary care doctors in Australia, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the UK and the US over a three-year period.

Despite being by far the most costly, the US’s healthcare service – which is soon to be reformed by president Barack Obama – is ranked last or next-to-last according to five of the foundation’s criteria.

“For all countries, responses indicate room for improvement,” the report’s authors said.