Britons desperate to see GPs now believe access to NHS services ‘more important’ then free care, survey says
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For the first time ‘free at the point of delivery’ has dropped as a priority among voters for what they want from the NHS. A thinktank has suggested that voters may be willing to “make trade offs” over paying fees for access to NHS care after a new survey revealed that “free at the point of care” has reduced as a priority.
Major new polling for Policy Exchange showed that improved NHS performance for core services, including “improved access to GPs” and “shorter waiting times”, are more important. The survey appears to reflect growing frustration in the UK with the difficulty in seeing a GP and the so-called dentistry deserts across the country.
Improving access to NHS dentistry is a top priority for the public, according to polling, with Policy Exchange calling for the development of a national dentistry plan to ensure core and preventative dental services are the right of every citizen – like access to a GP or attending primary school.
When asked to “pick three” from a list of thirteen options, respondents included access to NHS dentists to be their third most important priority for reform (43 per cent) behind only “shorter waiting times for operations” (56 per cent) and “better access to GPs” (48 per cent).
Respondents were less likely to choose the NHS providing its services free of charge as a priority (41 per cent) compared to improving access for GPs (61 per cent) or treatment for life threatening conditions (44 per cent). The findings come in a week where prime minister Sir Keir Starmer and health secretary Wes Streeting have unveiled a series of reforms to bring down waiting lists including greater use of artificial intelligence and bringing in the private sector.
