Clap for carers now feels like ancient history. Public satisfaction with the NHS is at its lowest since 1997, according to a new study out today. The British Social Attitudes Survey finds overall satisfaction with the health service at just 36 per cent, a record-breaking fall of 17 points since 2020.
People often relate to the health service through GPs and their experience of A&E. The latter has experienced a record-breaking 15 point fall, now at 39 per cent satisfaction, its lowest level since the BSA started asking questions about A&E in 1999.
It’s worth remembering that in 1997, when public satisfaction with the NHS as a whole was at just 34 per cent, politicians and senior health figures were worried about an existential threat to the health service. They could see the public giving up on the concept and the model, and turning, unwillingly, to private medicine in order to beat the mounting waiting lists.
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in