The Commonwealth Fund have again ranked the NHS as the best healthcare system, in a study of 11 wealthy countries from around the world.

Data for the study was compiled by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). They engaged a number of experts to assess the healthcare systems of the 11 countries (full table, and rankings, below) based on 11 criteria – each one measuring the effectiveness of specific systems and outcomes.

The study, which is conducted every 3 years, also ranked the UK top in 2014 – suggesting that the NHS has persevered, despite the most prolonged budgetary squeeze in its history. Notably, the UK also ranked near the bottom on percentage of GDP invested (9.9%), which shows that the NHS is not only an extremely effective service – it is also incredibly efficient. In contrast the US, who finished bottom of the final table, invested 16.6%.

In fact the UK and NHS came top of 4 of the 11 categories on which the individual nations’ healthcare systems were assessed – and were in the top 3 for 10. The only category on which the UK came lower was their 10th place (above only the US) for ‘healthcare outcomes’ (i.e., recovery, alternative treatment, death, etc.).

Despite this, the UK still managed to display the largest reduction in healthcare related mortality over 10 years.

The final table is as follows:

1 – United Kingdom

2 – Australia

3 – Netherlands

4 = New Zealand

4= Norway

6 = Sweden

6 = Switzerland

8 – Germany

9 – Canada

10 – France

11 – US

The above is a testament to the professional healthcare provided by the thousands of staff employed by the UK’s National Health Service. Hygia are regularly engaged by NHS services for training, and we get immense satisfaction in providing some of the knowledge and skills that are applied to clinical programmes across the country.

From our experience of working with and providing training to the exceptional staff of the NHS, we are not surprised to see the UK at the top of the Commonwealth Fund’s table. The staff we work with have always shared our passion for inspiring, excellent training, and we always look forward to our next session with our world-beating public service.

Contact us today for all your healthcare training needs.