03.04.13
Satisfaction with the NHS at 61%
There has been little change in public satisfaction with the NHS since last year, the British Social Attitudes Survey has shown.
The King’s Fund health think tank, which sponsors the health questions on the survey, found there had been “no recovery following the considerable drop in satisfaction seen in 2011”. Overall satisfaction with the NHS rose from 58% in 2011 to 61% in 2012, but the British Social Attitudes Survey stated this was “not statistically significant”.
Satisfaction with A&E services rose to 59%, and 64% with outpatient services. Satisfaction with inpatient services dropped to 52%. 56% of respondents were satisfied with dentists and 74% with GPs.
Professor John Appleby, chief economist of the King's Fund, said: “With no real change in satisfaction with the NHS in 2012, this suggests the fall in 2011 was not a blip and that the ground lost may take some time to recover.”
NHS Confederation director of policy Dr Johnny Marshall said: “Feedback from the public and patients on their NHS experience is a crucial litmus test of service quality.
“The findings indicate the majority of the public are satisfied with the NHS, and it is particularly good to see a rise in the proportion of people satisfied with A&E services compared to the previous year.
“But there is absolutely no room for complacency. We should be aiming for every patient to report full satisfaction with their care. This won't be without its challenges, but the NHS wants to make it happen – patients are, and should be, at the heart of everything we do.”
Patients Association chief executive Katherine Murphy said: “People are still contacting our helpline every day to tell us that they or a loved one is receiving the most appalling care in hospital. These serious issues need to be tackled and the government needs to monitor closely the impact of its reforms.”
A spokesman for NHS England added: “The changes which have been implemented put patients at the centre of everything the NHS does. We are committed to providing the best services possible for patients in England.”
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