This report reviews the performance of health services in Sweden, Holland, West Germany, Canada and USA. The main aim has been to identify the countries' studies, to draw parallels with the UK, and to establish the lessons, if any, from abroad. Chapter one traces the origins of the Prime Minister's review of the NHS in order to provide a context for the chapters on individual countries to follow. The report concludes that there are no quick-fix solutions to the problems faced by the health care system of developed countries.