Polling published by the Health Foundation and undertaken by Ipsos shows that only 28 per cent of the public thought the NHS was providing a good service nationally in May 2024. This is 6 percentage points less than in 2023. This is the lowest since the records began in 2021.
The results come following the publication of the latest NHS England’s latest performance statistics.
The polling also revealed that more than three-quarters (78 per cent) of the public are now concerned about the level of pressure that GP practices are facing, up from 73 per cent in May 2022.
The public’s top priority is reducing the number of staff leaving the NHS by improving working conditions (39 per cent). This is followed by making it easier to get appointments at GP practices (34 per cent) and increasing the number of staff in the NHS by increasing recruitment (32 per cent).
More than half of people (52 per cent) think the NHS will get worse over the next year. In particular, they think that pressure or workload on NHS staff (65 per cent) and waiting times for routine services (62 per cent) 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."
In response to the results, deputy chief executive of NHS Providers, Saffron Cordery said: "Despite their significant efforts, leaders across the NHS know they have a mountain to climb to restore public satisfaction in the NHS.
"It is deeply concerning that only 28 per cent of the public think the NHS is providing a good service nationally – a record low- and just as worrying that the majority of those surveyed expect the NHS, staffing pressures and waiting times to get worse over the coming year.
"NHS trust leaders are committed to restoring services and delivering high quality care. Due to the hard work of frontline teams, every effort is being made to tackle waiting lists and ensure people get the care they need as quickly as possible.
"But, as the latest NHS performance figures show, they know they still have a long way to go.
"Like the public, trust leaders want to see more being done to boost recruitment and retention of hardworking NHS staff.
"They also want to see more investment in crucial health services, including community, mental health, primary, social care and prevention services, which would help our ageing population live healthier lives, improve preventative care and ease the burden on hugely overstretched hospitals and GP practices."
