Picker responds to the British Social Attitudes 2024 survey

Responding to the British Social Attitudes survey , Chris Graham, Group CEO at Picker, said:

“The results are not surprising – they are consistent with the findings from the large-scale patient experience surveys that we coordinate – but the overall scale of dissatisfaction is nevertheless cause for alarm.

“The government and the public are clear that the NHS needs urgent reform, while there remains strong support for an NHS that is free at the point of use and is funded by taxation. These findings show that there is deep appetite for change, and where the public’s priorities for the NHS lie – making it easier to access GP appointments and reducing waiting times.

“The upcoming ten-year plan must offer tangible solutions to demonstrate to the public, and to NHS staff, that change is on the horizon. Those changes must involve patients and the public to ensure that they cultivate a person centred approach to health care.

“However, meaningful change takes time – waiting will, regrettably, remain a common feature of accessing NHS services for some time to come. For this reason, the upcoming plan must include an offer on ‘waiting well’, improved education for self-management, and a commitment to understanding and improving patients’ experiences of waiting.”