Eleanor Domin
The British Social Attitudes Poll found that British citizen satisfaction with the NHS is at its lowest-ever level.
Over 3,000 people across England, Scotland and Wales were surveyed for the poll, which found satisfaction levels have fallen by 29 per cent since the emergence of Covid-19 in 2020.
It also found rates have fallen by 46 per cent from the record high in 2010 when the Conservatives took power.
WHY ARE PEOPLE DISSATISFIED?
The National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) conducts an annual British Social Attitudes survey.
NatCen has published samples of opinions on the lifestyles and livelihoods of the British population since 1983, measuring changes in political, social and moral attitudes.
'You're not taking the public with you Secretary of State, clearly.'
'Nobody pretended that cutting waiting lists was going to be easy.'
@NickFerrariLBC asks Health Secretary Victoria Atkins why public satisfaction with the NHS is at its 'lowest level in nearly half a century'. pic.twitter.com/uVTli887ws— LBC (@LBC) April 11, 2024
On the 21st September 2023, NatCen published its 40th annual British Social Attitudes survey, which found an increase in NHS dissatisfaction levels from the British public.
The survey found varying claims from respondents citing their dissatisfaction with the NHS, with the most common response being lengthy waiting times when booking GP or hospital appointments.
This is followed by the belief that there are significant staff shortages and insufficient government funding.
The report stated: “A decade of squeezed funding and chronic workforce shortages followed by a global pandemic has left the NHS in a continual state of crisis.”
THE POTENTIAL FOR A NEW HEALTHCARE MODEL
Despite criticisms of the NHS and a decline in satisfaction, there does not appear to be calls for a new healthcare model.
The poll reported that support for the fundamental principles behind the NHS have remained constant. These principles include being free at the point of use, available to everyone and mainly funded through taxes.
“Any party wishing to assume their position in Downing Street in a year must demonstrate an intent to invest in nursing.”
However, Dan Wellings, a senior fellow at the King’s Fund, said that political leaders should “take note” of the decline in satisfaction levels ahead of the upcoming general election.
Professor Pat Cullen, general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, proposed that any party wishing to assume their position in Downing Street in a year must demonstrate an intent to invest in nursing to improve pay conditions and stabilise the workforce.
No government in history has invested less in the NHS than this one
No government in history has pilfered more money from the NHS budget than this one
If you can’t get an appointment you know who to blame
— Dr Dan Goyal (@danielgoyal) April 15, 2024
POLITICAL PARTY REACTIONS
Despite criticisms from the public, a Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said the NHS has been provided with record funding of nearly 165 billion pounds a year by the end of this parliament.
This is an increase of 13 per cent compared to 2019.
They stated that NHS waiting lists have decreased for the fourth consecutive month, and the commitment to provide an extra 50 million GP appointments months ahead of schedule has been delivered.
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Featured image courtesy of Tugce Gungormezler on Unsplash. No changes were made to this image. Image license found here.
