Although the NHS is ranked as one of the institutions that makes people ‘most proud to be British’1, a new poll commissioned by Astellas Pharma Europe Ltd, highlights that 91% of people feel that the health service is in need of change2. In particular, shorter waiting times (36% of respondents) and improved access to medicines (30%) rank most highly as the areas in need of greatest reform.
With only 1 in 4 of respondents agreeing that the Government currently spends enough on health, the survey reveals that those polled would be willing to accept an average charge of £10 for a missed GP appointment in order to improve service levels. The people polled also said they would be willing to pay an average of £170 per year in additional income tax for healthcare funding – which could result in approximately £5 billion in additional tax revenue for the Treasury3. In addition to these charges, 39% of those polled would be willing to accept an additional charge if it meant quicker access to healthcare services and 44% of those polled would be willing to accept additional charges if it meant access to newer and potentially more effective medicines.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7753151-astellas-survey-public-support-nhs-concern/
