Department of Health, 1 July 2015
- Results of IPSOS Mori research into public perceptions of the NHS and social care based on 1,016 interviews conducted with adults aged 16 and over in England between 3 November and 17 December 2014. Issues include Overall Satisfaction with the NHS, Key Perceptions of the NHS, Choice and patient involvement, Feedback and complaints, Public health, The changing NHS, Funding, Social care,
- Overall satisfaction with the NHS
- Local services continue to be rated more positively than the NHS at a national level or the Government’s policies for it (the ‘NHS perception gap’ remains). Almost three quarters (74%) of people agree their local NHS is providing them with a good service, while approximately six in ten (61%) agree that the NHS is providing a good service nationally, and around one-quarter (26%) agree that the Government has the right policies for the NHS. Having said this, perceptions of local NHS services are not as positive as a year ago (a change from 78% in winter 2013 to 74% now).
- Satisfaction with NHS services among both recent hospital users2 and those who have visited their GP remains high. Over eight in ten (84%) recent hospital users are satisfied and a similar proportion (85%) of those who have visited their GP in the last year are satisfied.
- While the public are generally positive about the care provided by the NHS, they do feel some groups are better cared for than others. Local NHS care for children is viewed most positively (72% of people feel they are well cared for by the NHS in their local area), followed by local NHS care for people over 65 (60%) and people with long term illnesses or conditions (57%). Perceptions of local NHS care for people with mental health conditions and people with dementia are less positive (31% and 29% respectively).
