Dr Liam Fox: Also looking abroad

The Spanish hospital could provide a model for the NHS, even though it has been accused by critics of cherry picking staff and patients.

Conservative Shadow Health Spokesman Dr Liam Fox is also seeking inspiration from abroad this week.

He will be visiting a hospital, private clinic and family doctor's surgery in Paris to gain ideas which could shape Conservative Party policy.

The rest of the world is already providing a partial solution to the recruitment crisis facing the health service.

Successful overseas recruitment

During Wednesday's visit to Spain, Mr Milburn will reveal that a drive to encourage overseas-qualified doctors and nurses to come and work in the NHS has managed to attract a substantial number of interested professionals.

Spain has more doctors and nurses than it needs, and the UK has an official agreement which allows it to recruit Spanish staff.

It was hoped that as many as 5,000 nurses could be recruited.

The visit to the hospital could provide ideas which could be brought back to the NHS

Department of Health spokesman

This has also proved fruitful, and similar arrangements are being considered with other countries.

A Department of Health spokesman said: "Spain certainly has a surplus of doctors and nurses - and this way, we are cooperating with the government in recruitment and they are quite happy about it."

The fact-finding mission to the Madrid hospital could help the government usher in its plans to increase the role of the private sector in providing state-funded healthcare.

Until now, while private firms have built NHS hospitals under finance initiatives, the health professionals within them have always been employed by the NHS.

The Department of Health spokesman said: "The visit to the hospital could provide ideas which could be brought back to the NHS.

"Patients don't care who is providing the care as long as they are getting the treatment they need."

Dr Fox is planning a tour of more than one European country as part of a Conservative Party drive to gather ideas which could help it formulate fresh policy.