Concerns about the State of the NHS Driving how Britons use the Healthcare System

A new Ipsos poll, conducted between October 11-14, 2024, reveals that concerns about the state of the NHS are driving changes in healthcare-seeking behaviour.

Changes in NHS Use

• Responsible Use of Resources: A significant majority (69%) of Britons report using NHS resources responsibly, such as not missing GP appointments, due to concerns about the NHS. Looking ahead, this trend is expected to continue, with 79% saying they are likely to use resources responsibly in the future for the same reason.
• Self-Care and Preventative Measures: 67% of Britons have tried to care for themselves before seeking NHS help, and six in ten (60%) have tried to make healthier choices to reduce their future NHS needs. These proactive approaches are also expected to continue in the future, with 73% and 66% respectively indicating they are likely to continue these behaviours.
• Avoidance of Healthcare Services: A substantial proportion of Britons have avoided seeking certain types of NHS care due to concerns about the system. This includes:
  o    38% avoiding routine GP appointments
  o    33% avoiding A&E visits
  o    27% avoiding urgent GP appointments
• Consideration of Private Healthcare: 17% of the public have used private healthcare, likely reflecting a desire to bypass potential NHS delays or difficulties.

Do Britons think that the NHS is broken?

The survey also explored public reaction to recent comments by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, who stated that the "NHS is broken."

• Agreement: Around two-thirds (65%) of Britons agreed with Streeting's assessment that the NHS is broken. Agreement was highest among Reform UK voters (77%) and Labour voters (73%). 
• Awareness: 43% of Britons say they have heard about Streeting’s assessment of the health service. Older adults (55-75) were more likely to have heard about Streeting's statement (55%) compared to other age groups.
• Impact on Confidence: While 29% of the public said Streeting's statement gives them confidence that the Labour government understands the challenges facing the NHS, around half (49%) said it made them more worried about the problems facing the health service and Labour's ability to fix them.

Future of the NHS

Public opinion is pessimistic about the health service in the short term, with just 14% believing it will improve in the next six months, rising to 21% in the next year. However, looking further ahead, there are signs of more optimism, with 35% believing the NHS will improve over the next five years, rising slightly to 37% in the next ten.

Commenting on the findings, Anna Quigley, Ipsos Research Director, Health and Social Care said:

This research paints a stark picture of the public's current feelings towards the NHS. Two-thirds of Britons concur with Health Secretary Wes Streeting's statement that the NHS is 'broken. It may be seen as positive that people are thinking about how to use services responsibly and are taking greater care of their own health. However, a worrying number may also be avoiding necessary care due to concerns about the state of the healthcare system.  This data underscores the public's complex relationship with the NHS: they are trying to do their part, but are worried about the NHS's ability to meet their needs, both now and in the future.

Technical note: 

• Ipsos interviewed a representative sample of 1,093 British adults aged 18-75. Interviews were conducted online between 11th-14th October 2024.  
• Data are weighted to match the profile of the population. All polls are subject to a wide range of potential sources of error.