Sajid Javid says he would not replicate the NHS anywhere else in the world as it needs to address its 'failings'.

The former health secretary warned of 'fundamental flaws' in the health service and said the Australian version was 'a lot better'.

His tribute to the Australian model - in which everyone is entitled to free healthcare but the wealthy can either pay extra or take out private cover - will alarm those who think the NHS should remain taxpayer-funded.

He said: 'Would I replicate the NHS anywhere else? No, I wouldn't.

'I think as a universal healthcare system it tries to do a lot but it's failing on a lot of counts in terms of outcomes.

'And I could talk about all the reasons why - I've written about it, I've talked about it - but I think there's some fundamental flaws in the NHS model.

'I think the Australian model, for example, is a lot better. I'm not saying it's perfect, but it's a lot better than the NHS model.

'And I think whichever government is in office in the next few years will really need to tackle that issue and be honest about some of the challenges that the NHS sees, its failings, and why so many people are queueing for things that they really shouldn't have to.'

Under Australia's Medicare system, everyone is entitled to free health care but Australians on higher incomes can choose between paying an extra two per cent levy to help fund the system or take out private cover. Most choose private cover.

The surcharge aims to encourage individuals to take out private hospital cover and, where possible, to go private to reduce the demand on public Medicare system.

In 2022, NHS Scotland leaders discussed the idea of a two-tier system in which the wealthy pay more for treatment but the plans were abandoned.

Mr Javid was speaking on a panel alongside former Australian prime minister Julia Gillard organised by the Coalition for Global Prosperity - a campaign group launched by David Cameron.

He was health secretary from June 2021 until July 2022 when he resigned from Boris Johnson's Cabinet.

Mr Javid has said he will stand down as an MP at the next election.

During the event, Mr Javid warned that another pandemic was coming sooner than people realise - and could well begin in China again.

Acknowledging that Britain disagreed with China on many things, he said the country could not be ignored when it comes to dealing with the world's biggest challenges.

'When it comes to health, think about the last pandemic and how it all began in China,' he said.

'And when the next pandemic comes, and it's probably going to be a lot sooner I think than most people realise, and there's lots of medical health reasons, and scientific reasons for that.

'It may well begin from China and there's reason to think that as well. And I think you've got to have a good sort of co-operation (with) countries like that on things that matter to all of us, things that don't recognise international borders - like health.'