The use of targets in the NHS in England has contributed to increased productivity and better performance than in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, according to a new report.
The Nuffield Trust has released research that suggest the NHS in England spend less and has fewer doctors, nurses and managers per head of population than the health services in the devolved countries, but is making better use of its resources, with greater productivity and lower waiting times.
The analysis of the performance of the NHS across the four countries of the UK before and after devolution has found striking differences in performance.
Scotland has the highest rate of spending, but also the highest levels of poor health and the lowest rates of staff productivity.
This is not the first piece of research to compare NHS performance across the UK - last year, Jeremy Felvus presented research that also uncovered big differences between the four countries - but the Nuffield Trust findings are likely to attract considerable interest, because they appear to endorse the use of targets, strong performance management, the role of regulators and financial incentives.
