Public perceptions of health and social care: what government should know

Abstract

Public perceptions of health and social care 4Public satisfaction with the health service has fallen to a 20-year low. 6 By the end of 2021, the 'grace period' of widespread support for the NHS and its staff during the pandemic 7,8 had been replaced by a more pessimistic outlook. 9 Public satisfaction fell across all NHS services -from emergency care in hospitals to general practice and dentistry. 6 Satisfaction with social care is even lower. 6 Early in the pandemic, high numbers of deaths in care homes and the impossible pressures on care workers put the sector in the spotlight. This spotlight has dimmed, yet social care remains under extreme strain from chronic underfunding 10 and widespread staff shortages, leaving many people without the care they need. 11,12 These pressures are less visible than in the NHS, but are no less severe -and challenges in both systems interact to cause escalating problems for people using and providing services. COVID-19 has made these problems worse, but their causes are longstanding -including a decade of austerity in public spending, political neglect of adult social care, and limited health system capacity, such as staff, beds and equipment.The 2019 general election gave Boris Johnson's government a substantial majority to deliver on pledges 13 to 'level up' the UK, 'fix' social care and strengthen the NHS. These manifesto ambitions initially took a backseat to the pandemic response. But since then ministers have produced policy at frenetic pace -with white papers on the health service, 14 social care, 15 integration of care 16 and levelling up, 17 alongside the biggest shake-up 18 of the NHS in England in a decade. Yet Liz Truss inherits a health and care system in crisis and widening health inequalities. 19,20 The task facing the new prime minister and her government is significant. As the Truss government sets out its agenda on health and social care, understanding what the public thinks should inform policy.

Trust in COVID-19 information sources and vaccination status: Exploring social inequalities and differences within the four United Kingdom nations using a representative survey

“…This finding contrasts with general public views on the NHS, with a 2021 survey showing that over half of respondents (57%) found that the general standard of care provided by the NHS had worsened during the preceding years. 15 Interpretation of our findings has to be set in the context of the wider pandemic: at the time of data collection in summer 2021, the UK had emerged from exceptionally high levels of hospitalisations linked to COVID-19; yet, the vaccine roll-out was generally perceived as a UK success story. 16 Overall, our findings highlight the need for the UK and devolved governments to value the importance of public trust in the health system and take appropriate measures to avoid undermining such trust.…”

Stressed and overworked: What the Commonwealth Fund’s 2022 International Health Policy Survey of Primary Care Physicians in 10 Countries means for the UK

“…4 Patients are also concerned about the pressure on GPs and point to lack of staff and limited funding as the main reasons why. 5 The public is clear that government has the greatest responsibility for addressing these problems. 67 Policymakers should listen.…”

“…Public and patient satisfaction with general practice have hit record lows, 3,4 people are finding it harder to get GP appointments 4 and concerns about GP access are high on the public agenda. 5 Job satisfaction among GPs has fallen too 6 and many are considering leaving the profession. 6,7 Policymakers are taking notice.…”

Falling on deaf ears: interpreters as cultural brokers in mental healthcare

“…Overcoming language barriers yields many benefits for clinicians, patients and the healthcare system, which is especially important at a time of low public satisfaction with the healthcare system. 20 The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities indicates that working with professional interpreters ensures accuracy and impartiality, which in turn minimise the legal risk of misinterpretation of important clinical information and safeguarding risks. 19 Thus, for example, interpreter-mediated consultations could contribute to identifying and supporting women experiencing gender-based violence.…”