Public satisfaction with NHS drops to record low
A new survey shows public satisfaction with the NHS has reached an all-time low. In 2022, only 29% of respondents reported being satisfied with the NHS, citing concerns over waiting times and staff shortages as the primary reasons for their dissatisfaction. That’s a massive seven-point drop from the previous year and a significant decline from the peak of 70% satisfaction in 2010.
The survey, which has been conducted since 1983 and is considered the gold standard for measuring public opinion of the NHS, showed that satisfaction levels for all services, including A&E, GPs, dentistry, and general hospital care, have declined.
Interestingly, the decrease in satisfaction with the National Health Service was evident across all demographics, income levels, political affiliations, and age groups.
The survey was conducted in the fall before the winter months brought the worst waiting times on record for England, Scotland, and Wales, all of which are failing to meet their core NHS waiting-time targets.
The public highly valued the NHS’s free-at-the-point-of-use policy and the quality of care provided.
Over 80% of respondents believed that the NHS should be accessible to everyone and funded primarily through taxes. While 43% of respondents believed that taxes should be raised to provide additional funding for the NHS, 28% believed that the NHS should operate within its current budget.
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