Public perceptions of health and social care in light of COVID-19 (July 2020) Health Foundation 23 September 2020
- This report presents the findings of a survey commissioned by the Health Foundation and conducted by Ipsos MORI between 17 and 29 July 2020 (n=2,246 people).
- The results highlight a significant change in the public’s perceptions towards the Government’s handling of COVID-19 and the measures it has taken to tackle the outbreak so far.
- Findings include:
- the clarity of the Government’s current official guidance varies.
- overall public confidence in using NHS services is returning,
- awareness of the Government’s contact tracing app has increased since May however, people from a black and minority ethnic background, women, those in the youngest and oldest age groups, routine and skilled manual workers, and the unemployed are all less likely to be aware of the plans – reinforcing concerns about a potential ‘digital divide’.
- Just over half of the public (52% in July compared to 62% in May) say they are likely to download the app. Younger people (18–24) are more likely to say they would download the app, use the app or self-isolate based on its advice (57%), while the oldest age groups (65+) are the least likely to do so (41%).