Report

Public satisfaction with the NHS and social care in 2024

This report from UK think tank the King’s Fund explores the results from the British Social Attitudes survey.

This report, by The King’s Fund and the Nuffield Trust, presents findings from the 2024 British Social Attitudes survey, offering a comprehensive picture of public views on the NHS and social care in England. It reveals that public satisfaction with the NHS has reached its lowest recorded level, with just 21% of respondents satisfied, while 59% reported dissatisfaction, the highest figure since the survey began in 1983.

The report highlights a sharp long-term decline in confidence, with satisfaction falling dramatically since 2019. Dissatisfaction is driven by concerns about access to care, long waiting times and staff shortages, alongside perceptions of declining service quality. Public satisfaction has also dropped significantly across key services, particularly A&E and dentistry, reflecting the pressures facing frontline care.

Views on social care are similarly negative. Only a small minority of the public report being satisfied, while over half express dissatisfaction, underlining ongoing concerns about affordability, access and quality. Despite these concerns, the report notes continued public support for the founding principles of the NHS, including care that is free at the point of use.

Overall, the findings paint a picture of a health and care system under significant strain, with declining public confidence but enduring support for its core values.