Public satisfaction with NHS has ‘risen significantly’

Public satisfaction with the National Health Service (NHS) has risen to near-record levels, according to an analysis of the influential British Social Attitudes survey.

Almost two-thirds (65 percent) of the 2,000 people polled said they were either 'very' or 'quite' satisfied with the organisation.

This score is the second highest recorded level, while 'dissatisfaction' dropped to an all-time low of 15 percent.

Satisfaction was up by five percent compared to 2013, despite the NHS's deteriorating performance against key waiting times for accident and emergency (A&E) treatment, routine operations and cancer care.

Health secretary Jeremy Hunt welcomed the findings, describing them as a tribute to the hard work of health service staff.

According to experts from the King's Fund, the rise in satisfaction may reflect a desire to show support for the NHS as a British institution.

"Public satisfaction with the NHS is high and has risen significantly, despite a year in which the service hit the headlines for financial pressures and difficulties in A&E waiting times,” said Professor John Appleby, chief economist at the King’s Fund.