A BODY representing the NHS in Wales has defended the service in the wake of claims from the UK Government that it is a "second-class" health service.

The Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt told MPs in the Commons there was "absolutely intolerable pressure" on hospitals on the England-Wales border, claiming that for every one English patient that is admitted for treatment in a Welsh hospital, five Welsh patients are admitted for treatment in an English hospital.

A statement from the Welsh NHS Confederation on behalf of NHS Wales said they do not shy away from the "significant challenges" facing the NHS in Wales, but added "we are determined to ensure that the bigger picture about our great National Health Service is not lost.

"The picture of a National Health Service in Wales that, together with its partners, is dedicated to looking after the most vulnerable people in our society; where access to healthcare is based on clinical need and is free at the point of care".

It added: "The NHS has always been a key political issue – and that political focus will only intensify in the run up to next year’s UK parliamentary elections."

The statement also countered allegations of disatisfaction with the Welsh NHS, saying the latest National Survey for Wales found 92% were satisfied with their GP care while 91% were satisfied with their care at their last hospital appointment.

The Wales Health Minister hit back at Mr Hunt's claiums yesterday saying: "Some Welsh patients, especially those who live close to the English border, either rely on English hospitals for secondary care or find it easier and quicker to access routine NHS hospital services in England because they are closer to their homes than facilities in Wales.

"Many patients living in North and Mid Wales also receive specialist hospital care in England, for example, people in North Wales will go to Liverpool or Manchester for cardiac surgery and Gobowen for orthopaedic surgery, just as many patients living in south-west England receive specialist burns care in Wales."