British Social Attitudes survey on NHS satisfaction levels

According to the latest findings from the British Social Attitudes Survey (BSA), public satisfaction with the NHS has fallen to the lowest level ever recorded, and for the first time in the 41-year history of the survey, less than a quarter of people are satisfied with how the NHS is running. The survey, carried out by the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) in September and October 2023, is seen as a gold standard measure of public attitudes in Britain.

The top reason for dissatisfaction was that it takes too long to get a GP or hospital appointment. This is a concern we hear about a lot in Surrey. In fact we highlighted the impact of long waits for GP practice appointments in our latest Insights Bulletin.

“It takes 3 weeks to see the GP. But I don’t want to wait or complain.” (local Surrey resident).

Louise Ansari, Healthwatch England, Chief Executive, has said, “It is incredibly worrying that public satisfaction with the NHS and social care services has slid from already record-low levels. However, this is not surprising – unfortunately, many of the concerns highlighted in this report are reflected in the stories people share with Healthwatch teams across the country. We’ve also heard stories about excellent care from kind and respectful staff. But too often, accessing support in the first place remains challenging.”

What do you think? Are the issues identified in the survey relevant here in Surrey? Please share your experiences with us. Healthwatch Surrey champions the voice of local people to shape, improve and get the best from NHS, health and social care services. As an independent statutory body, we have the power to make sure decision makers listen to your feedback.

You can also contact us for information and signposting about local health and social care services. Get in touch today.