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March 2023 - Health

Satisfaction with NHS has fallen to lowest ever level, according to latest British Social Attitudes Survey: The public's satisfaction with the National Health Service has reached a record low with just 29% saying they were satisfied in 2022. The significant fall in satisfaction was seen across all demographics, sexes, and across different political parties.

The British Social Attitudes survey has been conducted annually in the UK since 1983 to measure the views of those who use the NHS.

The latest survey was seven percentage points down on the 2021 survey, and a huge fall from the highest score recorded in 2010 where 70% of people were satisfied.

Across all departments and services, ratings fell, with A&E seeing the most significant fall in satisfaction.

The highest satisfaction scores related to hospital outpatients found the research, with 45% saying they were 'quite' or 'very satisfied, while hospital inpatients and general practice received a satisfaction score of 35% each. Just three in 10 respondents said they were satisfied with A&E, with even fewer (27%) satisfied with dentistry.

What people value in the NHS

When asked what they value most about the NHS the most cited answer was that it is 'free at the point of use', followed by the quality of care they receive when they are seen.More than 80% said that they believe the NHS should be available to everyone, and primarily be funded through taxes, while 43% said that taxes should be increased to cover the funding costs. Also revealed by the research was the opinion by that the NHS should 'live within its budget' (28%).

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