Many Americans have recently protested against Obama's proposals to reform America's health service, fearing that it could become more like Britain's National Health Service (NHS).
Scare stories were spread - nearly all of them not true - about Britain's "socialist" health system, including the fact that "death panels" decide the fate of patients.
But a new survey conducted by US think tank the Commonwealth Fund has shown that Britain's health service is far better than America's and is also one of the best in the world.
More than 10,000 family doctors in 11 countries were surveyed - including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Holland, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden and America.
In sharp contrast to the States, the NHS rated highly for fast, inexpensive and readily-available care for all.
The UK was also the ONLY country where the majority of doctors feel the quality of healthcare is improving.
Britain's National Health Service was formed on 5th July 1948 in the aftermath of World War II. With 1.3 million workers, it is the world's third largest employer after the Chinese Army and the Indian Railways.
NHS 'beats America's private healthcare'
By Bob Roberts
5/11/2009
UK voted one of world's best
Britain's National Health Service (NHS) is one of the best in the world, according to a new international survey
The NHS was yesterday hailed one of the best healthcare services in the world - and far better than America's private system.
In an international survey, Britain came streets ahead of the US for quick, cheap and effective treatment.
The study follows a trans-Atlantic row during the summer over who has the best healthcare.
As Barack Obama battled for US reforms, many American rightwingers branded our NHS a failure - with "death panels" to decide the fate of patients.
Many Americans recently protested against Obama's proposal to bring the country's health service closer to that of Britain's. But a new survey has ranked Britain's health service as far better than America's
Gordon Brown hit back with a "We Love the NHS" campaign saying it was fairer and more efficient than any other.
Now US think-tank the Commonwealth Fund has been forced to agree after surveying more than 10,000 family doctors in 11 countries - including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Holland, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden and America.
In sharp contrast to the States, the NHS rated highly for fast, inexpensive and readily-available care for all.
The UK was also the only country where the majority of doctors feel the quality of healthcare is improving.
BRITAIN V UNITED STATES
Patients have difficulty paying for medication
US: 58%
Britain: 14%
Doctors having problems getting treatment for their patients
US: 48%
Britain: 6%
Patients having long waiting time to see specialist
US: 22%
Britain: 28%
Number of GP practices offering out of hours care
US: 29%
Britain: 89%
The study said: "Policies to invest and improve access, quality, and health outcomes have been put in place.
"Recent studies indicate that the reforms have improved outcomes."
Speaking from Washington, Health Secretary Andy Burnham welcomed the survey's findings.
He said: "The NHS is not perfect but it has moved from poor to good. I want to see it go from good to great on the next stage of the journey."
Mr Burnham added: "I would like today to pay tribute to the hard working NHS staff across the country and congratulate them for this magnificent achievement.
"This is a proud day for NHS staff and for the millions of patients that they look after so well."
mirror.co.uk
Scare stories were spread - nearly all of them not true - about Britain's "socialist" health system, including the fact that "death panels" decide the fate of patients.
But a new survey conducted by US think tank the Commonwealth Fund has shown that Britain's health service is far better than America's and is also one of the best in the world.
More than 10,000 family doctors in 11 countries were surveyed - including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Holland, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden and America.
In sharp contrast to the States, the NHS rated highly for fast, inexpensive and readily-available care for all.
The UK was also the ONLY country where the majority of doctors feel the quality of healthcare is improving.
Britain's National Health Service was formed on 5th July 1948 in the aftermath of World War II. With 1.3 million workers, it is the world's third largest employer after the Chinese Army and the Indian Railways.
NHS 'beats America's private healthcare'
By Bob Roberts
5/11/2009
UK voted one of world's best
Britain's National Health Service (NHS) is one of the best in the world, according to a new international survey
The NHS was yesterday hailed one of the best healthcare services in the world - and far better than America's private system.
In an international survey, Britain came streets ahead of the US for quick, cheap and effective treatment.
The study follows a trans-Atlantic row during the summer over who has the best healthcare.
As Barack Obama battled for US reforms, many American rightwingers branded our NHS a failure - with "death panels" to decide the fate of patients.
Many Americans recently protested against Obama's proposal to bring the country's health service closer to that of Britain's. But a new survey has ranked Britain's health service as far better than America's
Gordon Brown hit back with a "We Love the NHS" campaign saying it was fairer and more efficient than any other.
Now US think-tank the Commonwealth Fund has been forced to agree after surveying more than 10,000 family doctors in 11 countries - including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Holland, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden and America.
In sharp contrast to the States, the NHS rated highly for fast, inexpensive and readily-available care for all.
The UK was also the only country where the majority of doctors feel the quality of healthcare is improving.
BRITAIN V UNITED STATES
Patients have difficulty paying for medication
US: 58%
Britain: 14%
Doctors having problems getting treatment for their patients
US: 48%
Britain: 6%
Patients having long waiting time to see specialist
US: 22%
Britain: 28%
Number of GP practices offering out of hours care
US: 29%
Britain: 89%
The study said: "Policies to invest and improve access, quality, and health outcomes have been put in place.
"Recent studies indicate that the reforms have improved outcomes."
Speaking from Washington, Health Secretary Andy Burnham welcomed the survey's findings.
He said: "The NHS is not perfect but it has moved from poor to good. I want to see it go from good to great on the next stage of the journey."
Mr Burnham added: "I would like today to pay tribute to the hard working NHS staff across the country and congratulate them for this magnificent achievement.
"This is a proud day for NHS staff and for the millions of patients that they look after so well."
mirror.co.uk
