Public confidence in government NHS plans ‘falls to new low’

The British Medical Association (BMA) has published a new survey showing that public confidence in the government's handling and plan for the NHS has bottomed out.

Almost eight in ten respondents to the survey said they worried about the future of the NHS, with 1,240 people polled in total. Moreover, fewer than one in five said they trusted the Government with the management of the health service.

The report also revealed that 77 percent thought the government's policies are causing discontent among NHS staff, and that only 28 percent think the government genuinely cares about the NHS.

Although a slim majority – 53 percent – agreed with the government's focus on seven-day services, 69 percent said they do not think the NHS can afford the policy, while a similar percentage think not enough has been done to explain what "seven-day services" means.

BMA council chair Dr Mark Porter said: "There is a gulf between the government's promises on the NHS and what the public believe to be true. Everyone agrees that the NHS needs to grow and change, yet there is no long-term plan to address the crisis in our health service."