Responding to a BBC/ICM poll showing public attitudes to the NHS on its 60^th birthday, Progressive Vision, the classical liberal think tank, has said that the National Health Service cannot be considered the envy of the world.

Shane Frith, director of Progressive Vision, said;

“The fact that half the population believe that the NHS is the envy of the world may actually say more about the poor quality of British education rather than the high quality of our health service! No developed nation has sought to mimic the NHS model – and for good reason”

“Study after study shows that Britain’s health system lags behind those of other rich nations. For example, cancer survival rates are amongst the worst in the Western world.

“We should radically overhaul our system of health care long before the NHS reaches its 70^th birthday. Adopting personal health savings accounts, as used in Singapore, could produce far better health outcomes for a fraction of the cost.”