New polling published by the Health Foundation and undertaken by Ipsos shows that only 28% of the public think the NHS is providing a good service nationally, 6 percentage points less than in 2023, and the lowest since the Health Foundation started asking this question in 2021.
This compares with 46% who disagree that the NHS is providing a good service nationally and 23% who neither agree nor disagree.
The polling, undertaken in May 2024, shortly before the General Election was called, comes after the publication of the latest NHS England’s latest performance statistics, which show the ongoing challenges and long waits being experienced in the NHS.
It also highlights the strength of concern about pressures on general practice, with more than three-quarters (78%) of the public now concerned about the level of pressure that GP practices are facing, up from 73% in May 2022.
When asked about different priority areas for the NHS, the public’s top priority is reducing the number of staff leaving the NHS by improving working conditions (39%). This is closely followed by making it easier to get appointments at GP practices (34%) and increasing the number of staff in the NHS by increasing recruitment (32%).
The polling shows that more than half of people (52%) think the NHS will get worse over the next year. In particular, they think that pressure or workload on NHS staff (65%) and waiting times for routine services (62%) will get worse.
Tim Gardner, assistant director of policy at the Health Foundation, said: "Public satisfaction with the NHS was at a record low prior to the election and the new government will have its work cut out to turn that around. The public want to see steps taken to retain NHS staff, improve GP access and recruit more people to work in the health service.
"The new government has made a promising start in reaching an agreement with union leaders to settle industrial action by junior doctors and NHS staff will welcome the decision to accept the NHS Pay Review Body recommendations. However, the challenges facing the NHS are considerable. There are no quick fixes, but the NHS can recover with the right mix of policy change, innovation and investment."
