The satisfaction levels regarding the NHS have reached a new low, as per the latest British Social Attitudes survey, marking a decline in public contentment with healthcare services. In 2023, only 24% of respondents expressed satisfaction, attributing concerns primarily to prolonged waiting times and staff shortages. This figure represents a drop of five percentage points compared to the previous year and a significant decline from the peak satisfaction rate of 70% recorded in 2010. The survey, a longstanding gauge of public sentiment towards the NHS, has been conducted since 1983, polling over 3,000 individuals across England, Wales, and Scotland. Results published by the Nuffield Trust and King’s Fund reveal an ongoing deterioration in performance, with satisfaction levels witnessing a cumulative decline of 29 percentage points since 2020. Notably, core services such as A&E and dentistry registered the lowest satisfaction levels among respondents. Furthermore, satisfaction with social care plummeted to 13%, the lowest recorded since the survey’s inception.
Reasons cited for dissatisfaction include prolonged waiting times, staff shortages, and inadequate funding. When questioned about governmental approaches to NHS spending and taxation, 48% advocated for increased expenditure, while 42% preferred maintaining the status quo, and 6% favored reduced spending. Individuals with higher incomes were more inclined towards increased taxation and expenditure. Samuel Wilson, a resident of Worthing, West Sussex, voiced his frustrations, citing mobility issues following hip replacements and dissatisfaction with the level of care received from the NHS.
Rory Deighton, Acute Network Director at the NHS Confederation, acknowledged the challenging circumstances faced by staff and emphasized the need for improvements in GP and dental access, along with reductions in waiting lists. He highlighted the correlation between industrial actions, such as junior doctor strikes, and the length of waiting lists for elective treatments. Jessica Morris from the Nuffield Trust expressed concern over the survey findings, urging political parties to address the challenges faced by the NHS. Despite dwindling satisfaction levels, there remains strong public support for the NHS’s foundational principles, albeit with diminishing confidence in its ability to deliver optimal care.
Organizations such as the Patients Association and the Royal College of Nursing echoed sentiments of dismay and urgency, urging voters to prioritize NHS and care services in the upcoming general election. However, the Department of Health and Social Care emphasized progress in reducing waiting lists and investing in critical areas like GP services. The Scottish government offered contrasting perspectives, citing other research suggesting higher satisfaction levels among Scottish residents regarding NHS services.
