The Public and the NHS

In March 2018, in partnership with Ipsos MORI, we carried out three ‘deliberative workshops’ to explore this issue.

The following findings were explained by The Kings Fund

• "We found that the relationship between the public and the NHS is strong, and people were committed to its founding principles. However, there were several areas where the NHS could improve – not least around waste.
• While there was a feeling that some people take the NHS for granted and demand too much, participants felt that their expectations of the NHS were largely being met and that those expectations were realistic.
• Lack of funding was seen as a problem and government was seen as responsible. Most people would be willing to pay more tax to maintain the NHS, and many people favoured a dedicated NHS tax.
• There was recognition that NHS services were sometimes used inappropriately, which placed additional pressure on the system. However, the NHS could do more to support responsible use of the service.
• Individuals have a key role in keeping themselves healthy but there were mixed views about the role of the NHS – and wider government – in addressing this issue.
• While there was mistrust of a ‘nanny state’, people often supported specific government interventions such as the smoking ban. 
• There was broad agreement for the concept of a contract or deal in clarifying the balance between an individual’s responsibility for their health and the government’s and the NHS’s responsibility."