Health service 'improving overall' says Health Foundation

A report into the performances of the UK's health services in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, since they were devolved, suggests the gap between England and the other nations is narrowing.

The Nuffield Trust and the Health Foundation have said that life expectancy and death rates have all improved across the UK - but they warn that budget cuts in Wales appear to be pushing up waiting times for some operations.

Dr Jennifer Dixon, chief executive of The Health Foundation, said it was very good news for patients that the quality of healthcare was improving overall.