Recent findings from a long-running poll have revealed that public satisfaction with the NHS has plummeted to the lowest level on record. Merely 24% of individuals expressed contentment with the health service in a survey conducted in 2023. The primary reasons for dissatisfaction were identified as poor access to GPs and extended wait times for hospital treatment. More than 3,000 participants from across England, Scotland, and Wales contributed to the British Social Attitudes poll, which is considered a reliable indicator of public sentiment towards the NHS. The survey results indicated a significant decrease of five percentage points from the previous year, marking the lowest satisfaction level since records began in 1983. From A&E services to dentistry, satisfaction with various NHS provisions has reached all-time lows, underscoring a need for urgent intervention. Most alarmingly, satisfaction levels pertaining to social care were found to be even more abysmal, with a mere 13% of respondents expressing contentment.
When asked to identify the most critical priorities for the NHS, respondents highlighted the importance of improved access to GP appointments and increased staff numbers. Notably, 52% of participants emphasized the need for easier GP appointment scheduling, while 51% advocated for an augmentation in the NHS workforce. Enhancing waiting times in A&E departments and for planned operations closely followed, with 47% and 45% of respondents respectively selecting these areas for improvement. Despite the prevalent discontent with current NHS services, unwavering support for the fundamental principles underpinning the health system remains steadfast. The notion of a free-at-point-of-use, universally accessible service primarily funded through taxes continues to resonate with the public. The consensus suggests that while individuals do not endorse a wholesale transformation of the NHS, they demand a more functional and efficient system.
Addressing a State of Crisis
Satisfaction with the NHS peaked in 2010, with 70% of the populace expressing contentment with the health service. However, since 2020, satisfaction levels have dropped precipitously by 29 percentage points. The report attributes this decline to a convergence of factors, including prolonged funding constraints, chronic workforce shortages, and the disruptive impact of a global pandemic. The NHS finds itself teetering on the brink of a perpetual crisis, necessitating urgent remedial actions. Concerns regarding NHS funding are particularly pronounced, with an overwhelming 84% of survey participants deeming the issue severe. Nearly half of respondents (48%) advocate for an increase in taxes to support higher expenditures on the NHS. Notably, individuals with higher monthly incomes are more inclined towards endorsing tax hikes for NHS funding, hinting at a willingness to invest in bolstering healthcare provisions.
Experts in the field, including Dan Wellings from the King’s Fund and Professor Pat Cullen from the Royal College of Nursing, urge political leaders to heed the stark decline in public satisfaction levels with the NHS. With an impending general election on the horizon, the imperative for addressing the root causes of dissatisfaction and inefficiencies within the health system cannot be overstated. Professor Cullen emphasizes the crucial role of investing in nursing to enhance pay conditions and stabilize the healthcare workforce, signaling a clear mandate for prospective governmental bodies. The Department of Health and Social Care underscores its commitment to fostering a swifter, more equitable NHS, with notable progress in reducing waiting lists in England. Amidst record annual funding of nearly £165 billion by the end of the current parliamentary term, a 13% real-term increase from 2019, the government is poised to steer the NHS towards a more sustainable and effective future.