Public satisfaction with the NHS has fallen to its lowest level in over a decade, according to analysis of the 2018 British Social Attitudes (BSA) survey by the King’s Fund and the Nuffield Trust.

Overall satisfaction was 53 per cent – a 3 point drop from the previous year and the lowest level since 2007. Older people were more satisfied with the NHS than younger people: 61 per cent of those aged 65 and over were satisfied compared to 51 per cent of those aged 18–64.

The four main reasons people gave for being satisfied with the NHS overall were the quality of care; the fact that the NHS is free at the point of use; the range of services available; and the attitudes and behaviour of NHS staff. The four main reasons people gave for being dissatisfied were long waiting times; staff shortages; a lack of funding; and money being wasted.

Satisfaction with inpatient services was 63 per cent, an 8 point increase from the previous year. Satisfaction with outpatient services was 70 per cent, the highest level since the survey began. Satisfaction with A&E services was unchanged at 53 per cent.

Satisfaction with GP services was 63 per cent, almost unchanged from the previous year and at its lowest level since the survey began in 1983. Satisfaction with social care services was 26 per cent, again almost unchanged from the previous year.