Training doctors takes time so these new recruits from countries such as the USA, Spain, Germany and Israel will help us plug the gap.

Health Secretary Alan Milburn

"I am delighted that the global recruitment campaign for doctors has got off to such a good start."

The agreement has allowed the government to sign up 400 Spanish nurses for the NHS - many of these are heading for hospitals in the north west of England.

A Department of Health source said that further recruiting agreements with other governments were being pursued.

Mr Milburn concluded a two-day visit to Spain on Wednesday with a visit to a Spanish hospital which could provide a blueprint for increased links between the NHS and the private sector.

Fundacion Hospital in Alcorcon, Madrid, is owned by the state but run by a private management team.

It is said to be one of the most efficient in that country's health system, with short waiting times, although it has been accused of sending difficult cases away to publicly-run hospitals - and its staff work longer hours than at state hospitals.

The government is trying to find ways of bringing in the private sector to help struggling NHS services.

Dr Liam Fox: Also looking abroad

Conservative Shadow Health Spokesman Dr Liam Fox is also seeking inspiration for 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.

We want to see why our European neighbours, including some less affluent than us, have better cure and survival rates

Dr Liam Fox, Shadow Health spokesman

The fact-finding mission to the Madrid hospital could help the government usher in 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.

However, Mr Milburn said that he did not plan to simply produce copies of the Spanish hospital all over England and Wales.

He said: "Both Spain and the UK have a national health service. We are both trying to reform these health services.

"In Britain, the NHS has to become more responsive to the needs of patients. What we have seen today at the Alcorcon Foundation hospital is very interesting."

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.

Dr Fox said: "The Conservative Party will not put up with the British people receiving second rate healthcare.

"That is why we are travelling to Europe to look at the successes and failures of other countries.

"We want to see why our European neighbours, including some less affluent than us, have better cure and survival rates."