What do the public want from politicians when it comes to health and social care?
In a new blog post, our Health and Social Care research team looks at what health and social care policies the electorate are looking for from politicians in this general election
The findings from our latest polling make it clear: the NHS and healthcare are central to the general election campaign. It’s the top issue in deciding how to vote on 4 July (63%), and the NHS remains the biggest perceived issue facing the country, mentioned by 41% of Britons in June’s Issues Index. This is something we often see in the run up to an election though; what’s striking this time is that the current context is particularly bleak, marked by record levels of dissatisfaction with the NHS.
So, what exactly are voters looking for? The public's priorities are clear, and their concerns are twofold: staff and access to services. First on access: Ipsos's polling for the NHS Confederation shows significant dissatisfaction with access across various services, such as general practice, routine hospital care, urgent and emergency care, mental health, and dentistry. Getting a GP appointment is something that we hear frequently topping the list of grievances. Improving access to GPs is an urgent priority for voters.
When it comes to staffing, the public's concerns are glaring. The issue is not just about increasing the number of healthcare workers, but also about improving their working conditions. Reducing the pressure on staff, cutting down working hours, and offering better pay are paramount. This sentiment is driven not only by the expectation that better-treated staff will provide better care, but also by a deep-seated belief that the staff, at the heart of the NHS, simply should be valued more.
Our research increasingly shows that voters want more funding for the NHS – and if necessary, they are willing to pay for it. Ipsos's research with the Health Foundation indicates that the public is generally open to paying more taxes if it means seeing the necessary improvements in the NHS. Moreover, they are ready to embrace changes that focus on investing in primary and community care to reduce demand for hospitals, long-term planning for the NHS based on evidence and expert input, and more radical prevention policies than any main party has proposed.
In contrast, social care does not feature as prominently as a key issue for voters, despite similar levels of dissatisfaction and concern regarding social care services. This is partly because fewer people use social care services compared with, say, GP services, and there is a significant lack of understanding among the public. For instance, four in ten people mistakenly believe that social care services are generally free at the point of need. Therefore, promises on social care may not resonate as strongly with voters as those on the NHS.
For policymakers, these insights present a daunting challenge but also point to a clear roadmap. Prioritising improvements in access to GP services and enhancing the working conditions of healthcare staff should be at the top of the agenda to improve public confidence and satisfaction with the NHS. There is an urgent need to address the problems in social care – coupled with a need to educate the public about social care services to better align their expectations with reality.
Lastly, policymakers should consider bold and innovative solutions, as the public appears ready to support significant changes for the improvement of the NHS and our health more generally.
