From a record high to an all-time low: What is going on in the NHS? | LBC analysis

From an all-time high to an all-time low, Brits are less satisfied with the NHS now than they have ever been. To dissect this alarming statistic, Ben Kentish hears from the New Statesman's Medical Editor, Dr Phil Whitaker.

Fewer than one in four (24%) people were satisfied with the health service last year - the lowest level since records began in 1983, according to the British Social Attitudes poll.

It is five percentage points down on the year before and a major drop from the 2010 peak of 70% satisfaction.

Long waiting times for GP and hospital appointments, staff shortages and lack of funding were the main reasons behind public dissatisfaction.

A report on the poll found: "A decade of squeezed funding and chronic workforce shortages followed by a global pandemic has left the NHS in a continual state of crisis."

However, support for the founding principles of the NHS remains high, with 91% believing the NHS should be free of charge, 82% agreeing it should be primarily funded through taxes and 82% saying the NHS should be available to everyone.

Listen to the full show on Global Player

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