First, the bad news: the UK has one of worst levels of hospital patient care in Europe. The good news: it has better medical infrastructure than on the continent. These are some of the findings in a new book by London doctor Gerald Michael.

Titled Travels of a Doctor: A Medical Drive through the EU, it examines healthcare provision across the Europe. Dr Michael, 72, spent three months driving 12,000 miles to research the book.

He tells People: “I thought it would be interesting to interview an English-speaking GP in each country to make comparisons in the provision of care.” The book also provides a guide to the NHS and examines the amusing problems that tourists can encounter.

A GP at the Watling Medical Centre in north London, Dr Michael has been a doctor for more than 45 years.