NHS Satisfaction Polling 2026
Satisfaction with the NHS has hit a record low of 24% — down from 57% in 2019. 7.2 million on waiting lists. 81% say Labour is failing on waits. GP access, mental health and A&E are the battlegrounds. Labour’s NHS trust lead is shrinking fast.
NHS Satisfaction — Record Low 24%
The 2025 British Social Attitudes survey, conducted by the King’s Fund and NatCen, found that only 24% of adults in England were satisfied with the NHS — the lowest figure since the survey began in 1983. This compared to 51% who expressed dissatisfaction. The drop from 57% in 2019 to 24% in 2026 represents the steepest five-year decline in the survey’s history.
For the Labour government, which has committed record NHS investment and frames health as a core issue, the satisfaction collapse is a severe political challenge. Unlike the economy — where official data is improving — NHS data clearly shows deterioration: waiting lists remain at 7.2 million, A&E four-hour performance is at 60%, and GP appointment waiting times have lengthened. 81% of voters say Labour is failing to cut NHS waiting lists — a number that Labour’s polling consistently finds is its single biggest vulnerability.
Key NHS polling data — 2026
- 24% satisfied with the NHS overall — record low (King’s Fund, 2025 BSA)
- 51% dissatisfied — highest since records began 1983
- 7.2 million patients on waiting lists (NHS England, May 2026)
- 81% say Labour is failing to improve NHS waiting lists
- 74% of dissatisfied cite waiting times as the main issue
- 57% say the NHS needs “fundamental reform”, not just more funding
- Labour’s NHS trust lead: 39% — down from 49% in 2022
- 52% say NHS mental health services are inadequate
NHS Satisfaction Trend 2019–2026
| Year | Satisfied % | Dissatisfied % | Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 57% | 29% | Pre-pandemic baseline; satisfaction still recoverable |
| 2020 | 53% | 32% | Early pandemic: NHS appreciation initially boosted |
| 2021 | 36% | 40% | Backlog building; winter crisis begins |
| 2022 | 29% | 51% | Waiting lists hit 7m; winter strikes begin |
| 2023 | 27% | 52% | Industrial action peak; GP access crisis deepens |
| 2024 | 24% | 51% | Record low; Labour inherits backlog in July 2024 |
British Social Attitudes survey / King’s Fund. England only.
Waiting Lists: The Central Political Problem
The NHS waiting list of 7.2 million people is the issue most cited by voters as evidence of NHS failure. Nearly 1 in 8 adults in England is either on a waiting list or has a close family member on one. This personal experience is the reason “record NHS spending” messaging fails to shift voter perceptions.
NHS Mental Health: A Neglected Crisis
Mental health services are the most underfunded and politically charged area of NHS provision. 52% of adults say mental health services are inadequate in their local area — a figure that rises to 68% among 18–34 year olds. Only 11% say mental health services have improved under Labour.
| Statement | Agree | Disagree |
|---|---|---|
| NHS mental health services are inadequate in my area | 52% | 22% |
| Mental health should receive parity with physical health budgets | 71% | 10% |
| I have waited more than 3 months for NHS mental health help | 34% | 48% |
| Mental health services have improved under Labour | 11% | 61% |
| NHS underspends on mental health relative to need | 64% | 12% |
YouGov, June 2026. Mental health statements polled across all adults.
Party Trust on NHS
Most trusted party on the NHS. YouGov, June 2026. Labour leads but has fallen from 49% in 2022.
NHS trust trend (Labour)
- 2019: 47% trusted Labour most on NHS
- 2022: 49% (opposition boost during strike crisis)
- Jul 2024: 44% (election win — then governing reality begins)
- Jan 2025: 38% (waiting lists headline persist)
- May 2026: 39% (slight stabilisation)
Labour retains an NHS trust lead but it is eroding steadily as the waiting list crisis continues. NHS has historically been Labour’s most durable advantage.
NHS priorities: what voters want
- More GP appointment availability: 82%
- Cut waiting list times: 79%
- Mental health parity: 71%
- NHS app / digital booking: 61%
- More social care integration: 58%
- Private provider use if it cuts waits: 44%
YouGov, June 2026. GP access consistently the most demanded improvement across all ages.
Reform or Funding? What Voters Actually Want
There is a persistent Westminster assumption that NHS problems are primarily about funding. Polling increasingly suggests voters are sceptical of this framing: majorities believe structural reform is needed alongside, or instead of, additional money. The “money alone won’t fix it” view has crossed from Conservative voters into the general population.
| Statement | Agree | Disagree | Key split |
|---|---|---|---|
| The NHS needs more money to improve | 71% | 14% | Near-universal agreement; cross-party |
| Money alone will not fix the NHS — it needs reform | 57% | 22% | More Reform/Con voters; significant Lab voters too |
| I would support a dedicated NHS tax if it cut wait times | 58% | 27% | Broad; Lib Dem voters 67% support |
| More private healthcare would reduce pressure on the NHS | 44% | 38% | Older voters more supportive (55%+); young less so |
| GP access has improved under Labour | 11% | 68% | Near-universal agreement that it has NOT improved |
| Labour is seriously trying to fix the NHS | 34% | 52% | Own voters 58%; opposition voters 14–22% |
| The NHS is fundamentally unsustainable in its current form | 48% | 32% | Growing view across all parties |
Source: YouGov / Savanta composite, May 2026.
Explore More
Mental Health Polling
52% say mental health services are inadequate. The NHS’s most underfunded area in polling context.
Labour Polling
Labour leads on NHS trust at 39% but has fallen from 49% in 2022. How the waiting list crisis is eroding Labour’s strongest issue.
Wes Streeting Polling
Health Secretary Wes Streeting’s approval ratings, NHS reform positioning and voter trust data.
Pensioner Vote Polling
Over-65s have the lowest NHS satisfaction (21%) and the highest frequency of NHS use. Their verdict on Labour’s NHS record.
Welfare Polling
PIP, social care and disability services — the overlap between welfare and NHS polling in Labour’s most challenging areas.
All Topics
Browse all polling topic deep-dives — economy, immigration, climate, housing and more.
What is the current NHS satisfaction rating?
The 2025 King’s Fund British Social Attitudes survey found 24% of adults in England satisfied with the NHS — the lowest since the survey started in 1983. Dissatisfaction stands at 51%. This compares to 57% satisfaction in 2019 and 60% in 2010 — a 36-point collapse over 16 years. Labour polling →
Which party do voters trust most on the NHS?
Labour retains a trust lead on the NHS at 39%, but this has fallen from 49% in 2022. The Conservatives are at 14%, Lib Dems 11%, Reform UK 9%, and 21% trust none or are undecided. Labour’s NHS lead is eroding as the waiting list crisis continues despite record investment pledges. Wes Streeting polling →
Why has NHS satisfaction fallen so sharply?
The top causes cited by dissatisfied respondents are waiting times (74%), difficulty seeing a GP (67%), A&E waiting times (58%), and staff shortages (52%). The pandemic backlog, workforce crisis, and funding constraints during 2020–2024 produced a structural deterioration that record spending pledges have not yet visibly reversed.
Do voters support more private healthcare in the NHS?
Opinion is split. 44% would support greater private provision if it reduces waiting times, while 38% oppose it on principle. Support for private provision is higher among older voters (56%) and lower among 18–34 year olds (29%). Among Reform UK voters, 62% support using private providers. Among Green voters, 18% support it. Welfare polling →
What does polling show about NHS mental health services?
52% of UK adults say NHS mental health services are inadequate in their local area, rising to 68% among 18–34 year olds. 71% support ring-fencing a dedicated mental health budget within NHS funding, and 34% say they have personally waited more than three months for NHS mental health help. Only 11% say mental health services have improved under Labour. Mental health polling →
How does NHS dissatisfaction vary by age group?
Over-65s have the lowest satisfaction (21%) despite being the highest users of NHS services. The 45–64 group have the highest rates of personal waiting list experience — 1 in 5 are personally on a waiting list. Among 18–34s, satisfaction is higher (29%) but mental health service adequacy is the primary NHS concern, cited by 68% as inadequate. Pensioner vote polling →