Public satisfaction with the NHS has increased for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic, according to new analysis by The King’s Fund and Nuffield Trust.
The findings, based on the latest British Social Attitudes Survey conducted by the National Centre for Social Research, suggest that the sharp decline in public confidence seen in recent years may be beginning to stabilise.
Satisfaction with the NHS had fallen dramatically from 60% in 2019 to a record low of just 21% in 2024. However, the latest data for 2025 shows that this downward trend has now eased, marking the first improvement since the pandemic.
Researchers described the results as a “welcome relief” for the government, though they cautioned that it remains unclear whether this represents a long-term turning point.
Despite the modest improvement, access to services remains a major concern. Just 22% of respondents said they were satisfied with A&E services, while nearly half identified easier GP access and shorter emergency waiting times as top priorities. These pressures continue to shape public perceptions, with only half of respondents satisfied with the overall quality of NHS care.
Public dissatisfaction has seen its largest drop in more than 25 years, falling by eight percentage points to 51% in 2025. However, confidence in the future remains low, with just 16% of respondents believing NHS standards will improve over the next five years.
The data also reveals stark differences across age groups and political affiliations. Only 20% of people under 35 said they were satisfied with how the NHS is run, compared with 35% of those aged 65 and over.
Support for core NHS principles remains strong overall:
- 89% believe care should be free at the point of use
- 81% support funding through taxation
- 74% agree the NHS should be available to all
However, views diverge sharply along political lines. While 68% of Labour supporters strongly back universal availability, this falls to 45% among Conservative supporters and just 30% among Reform supporters.
Two-thirds (66%) of respondents believe the government is spending too little on the NHS, while only 13% think funds are used efficiently.
Public opinion is split on funding solutions, with 45% supporting higher taxes and increased NHS spending, compared with 43% favouring maintaining current levels.
Meanwhile, satisfaction with social care continues to lag significantly behind the NHS, with just 14% expressing satisfaction, despite a slight improvement on the previous year.
Dan Wellings, Senior Fellow at The King’s Fund, said:
“The rise in public satisfaction will be welcome relief for an NHS that has seen satisfaction plummet in recent years. But whether this marks the start of a genuine recovery or is just brief respite remains an open question. Much will depend on how quickly the government can improve access to care.
“Frustration with waiting times remains deeply embedded, and many people still feel that access to NHS care is difficult – either it is too hard to get through the front door or they are in a queue that barely moves. The government’s NHS reform programme is ambitious, but the real test is delivery: will these changes translate into better access to services, and will the public feel the difference?”
The findings paint a complex picture: while public confidence in the NHS may be showing early signs of recovery, deep concerns around access, funding and future performance remain.
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