RCN: Attitudes towards NHS ‘disappointing but not surprising’

Published: 12 June 2012

The Royal College of Nursing has described a new survey that shows a decline in public satisfaction with the NHS in England, Scotland and Wales as “disappointing.”

British Social Attitudes survey data shows that public perception with the way the NHS runs fell from 70 per cent in 2010, to 58 per cent in 2011.

RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary Dr Peter Carter said the findings were not surprising. “Over the past couple of years we have seen tens of thousands of posts stripped out of the health service.  Staff are working under huge amounts of stress and pressure.  This is a particular issue in accident and emergency settings and sadly we have heard many cases of patients being regularly treated on corridors,” he added.

The RCN has consistently said that the programme of reform coming at a time as the service in England struggles to save £20 billion will have negative consequences and is calling on the Government to take notice of the survey findings.