The British Social Attitudes survey reveals a further decline in public satisfaction with the NHS, reaching a new nadir. Merely 24% expressed contentment with the NHS in 2023, citing prolonged waiting times and staff shortages as primary concerns.
This marks a five-percentage-point decrease from the previous year and a stark contrast to the peak of 70% satisfaction recorded in 2010. Conducted since 1983, this survey stands as the benchmark for gauging public sentiment toward the health service.
Despite ongoing efforts, critical NHS targets continue to elude attainment, with cancer waiting times hitting record lows in 2023 and 12-hour A&E waits during winter becoming increasingly normalized.
The National Centre for Social Research surveyed over 3,000 individuals across England, Wales, and Scotland in autumn to gather these insights. Published by the Nuffield Trust and King’s Fund think tanks, the findings underscore a continued decline in performance following last year’s record low.
Since 2020, overall satisfaction has plummeted by 29 percentage points, with A&E and dentistry registering as the least satisfactory core services according to the public.