The BBC reports that more than 17,000 deaths a year in the UK are unnecessary and due to poor NHS performance. The TaxPayers’ Alliance, who monitor government performance, compared World Health Organization data for five leading European countries – UK, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Spain, and found the NHS had 17,157 extra deaths in 2004 compared with the other countries’ average when taking into account age and burden of disease.

Although waiting lists have been cut in recent years, it seems that NHS Hospitals have not performed well. In addition to this, there is the continued MRSA hospital bug problem, with new strains being found.

Report author Matthew Sinclair said: “Thousands are dying every year thanks to Britain’s health service not delivering the standards people expect and receive in other European countries.”

Shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley said: “Millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money has been spent but real success on a European level has not been achieved.

“This international comparison shows the extent of Labour’s failure to deliver the many promises made to patients in the UK.”

But the Department of Health said the extra investment over the last 10 years had provided more than 100,000 extra doctors and nurses and led to cuts in waiting times and improved access.

Health minister Ben Bradshaw added: “Mortality rates have been falling steadily and the UK has been narrowing the gap with the best continental EU performers.”

One thing that has become apparent amongst the wealthier population of the UK is that to ensure the best quality healthcare is received, private health insurance is often worth the investment.

Source: BBC Health News