Public want more control over healthcare decisions
In a recent MORI poll, three quarters said that as a matter of principle, free healthcare should be available to all, whatever the cost to the taxpayer.
However, 44% did agree that people should have to pay for non-essential NHS treatment through a private health insurance policy. Sixty-one per cent agree that the public should decide which services are free to all on the NHS and which should be paid for independently.
Three-quarters disagree that treatment of elderly people should not be as high a priority as treatment of young people and sixty-one percent agree that tax incentives should be available to encourage families to take more of the financial responsibility for their elderly, close relatives' healthcare. Despite this, fifty-five per cent disagree that because more people are living longer, the age for free prescriptions should be raised from 60-70.
Three-quarters showed a positive attitude towards alternative and complimentary medicine and disagreed that it should have no place in the modern NHS.
Sixty-one per cent disagree that people in need of medical care in the year 2021 should be means-tested prior to receiving treatment on the NHS.
Q 1-9 I would like to ask you whether you agree or disagree with each of the statements I am going to read out. Base: All (1,013)
| Strongly agree | Tend to agree | Neither | Tend to disagree | Strongly disagree | Don't know/ no opinion | |
| % | % | % | % | % | % | |
| As a matter of principle, free healthcare should be available to all, whatever the cost to the taxpayer | 43 | 32 | 4 | 12 | 8 | 2 |
| Because more and more people are living longer, the age for free prescriptions should be raised from 60 to 70 | 20 | 19 | 4 | 23 | 32 | 2 |
| People who disregard health advice from their doctor should no longer receive free healthcare from the NHS | 17 | 22 | 7 | 27 | 24 | 4 |
| People should have to pay for non-essential NHS treatment through a private health insurance policy | 17 | 27 | 7 | 22 | 22 | 5 |
| Alternative and complimentary medicine, such as acupuncture or homeopathy, should have no place in the modern NHS | 7 | 10 | 5 | 31 | 44 | 4 |
| Treatment of elderly people should not be as high a priority as treatment of young people | 4 | 11 | 8 | 29 | 45 | 4 |
| Tax incentives should be available to encourage families to take more of the financial responsibility for their elderly, close relatives' healthcare | 25 | 36 | 6 | 15 | 13 | 5 |
| The public should decide which services are free to all on the NHS and which should be paid for independently | 25 | 36 | 5 | 18 | 11 | 5 |
| People in need of medical care in the year 2021 should be means-tested prior to receiving treatment on the NHS | 10 | 17 | 6 | 23 | 38 | 7 |
Q 10 Thinking now of the last twelve months, have you personally ... Base: All (1,013)
| % | |
| Visited your GP's surgery to see a GP or family doctor | 70 |
| Received treatment in hospital, either as in in-patient or as an out-patient | 30 |
| Neither of these | 26 |
The future of the NHS regularly features in MORI polls as one of the top two issues facing Britain today.
Debate of the Age is an independent initiative to involve 30 million Britons in debate about our society in the 21st century. The consultation will last for two years, is supported by all three main party political leaders and has the backing of major corporations such as BUPA.
Debate of the Age can be contacted by members of the public through freephone 0800-783 4652 or by visiting the Debate web site www.age2000.org.uk
Technical details
MORI On-Line interviewed a representative quota sample of 1,013 adults aged 18+ between May 7-8 1998. Interviews were conducted by telephone. Data are weighted to the profile of the GB population.
