Public Favours Lottery Money To Increase NHS Funding

New research into public opinion on NHS funding shows that three-quarters would like to see extra money for the NHS coming from the Lottery.

In a recent MORI Poll, commissioned by the BMA as part of its year-long review of healthcare funding, the sample of some 2000 adults from across Great Britain were asked questions on what other forms of funding for the NHS they would support.

The Lottery was the preferred choice (74% when prompted with a range of options). Even when respondents were asked the question without being prompted with options, the lottery still topped the list.

The next most popular option, on prompting, showed that 42% of respondents thought that money should be taken away from other Government areas of spending, notably by those aged 25-34 (51% compared with 32% of those aged 55+). An increase in taxes was only favoured by just over a quarter of respondents and was more popular with AB social classes, those aged 45+ rather than 15-34 year olds, and men as opposed to women.

A quarter of respondents believed that voluntary contributions or donations would be suitable for increased NHS funding, an option chosen mainly by 15-34 year olds. Only 20% advocated some people having private healthcare, an option increasing with social class (from DE to AB).

Commenting on the findings, the BMA's Treasurer, Dr James Appleyard said: "The fact that people are choosing the Lottery as a method for raising more money for the NHS is significant. This may reflect local experiences of funding for special healthcare projects which can incorporate lotteries, raffles and sweepstakes. People have always been prepared to gamble their money on a good cause.

However, money raised should be channelled into specific projects as this form of funding would be variable and subject to the popularity of the Lottery.

I welcome the opinions of the younger respondents who appear to view the NHS as a higher priority for Government spending, as opposed to expenditure inother areas.

The BMA will consider the findings of this research as part of its ongoing work on the long-term sustainable funding of the NHS."

Technical details

• MORI interviewed a representative quota sample of 2,014 adults aged 15+. Interviews were conducted face-to-face, in homes across 153 sampling points across Great Britain. Interviews were carried out between 22-27 June 2000. Data have been weighted to the known profile of the British population.
• The BMA's funding review was set up at the end of last year (announced on 9/12/99) to address the following questions:
  • What kind of health care does the public expect, want or need
  • What resources are required to provide this
  • Can these resources be reasonably expected to be provided under present or alternative funding arrangements
  • What mechanisms can be used to bridge any "affordability gap" that may emerge

The BMA has established a steering group to engage representatives of patients, the public, other health professionals, managers and health economists as part of its review.