Public satisfaction with NHS in Scotland surges

SATISFACTION with the NHS in Scotland has increased significantly in the last decade, research suggests.

Health Secretary Alex Neil welcomed the findings of the Scottish Social Attitudes Survey 2013. Picture: TSPL

An official survey of almost 1,500 people found that 61% were either very or quite satisfied with the NHS, compared with 40% in 2005.

Health Secretary Alex Neil welcomed the findings of the Scottish Social Attitudes Survey 2013, which he attributed to an increase in NHS staffing and a reduction in waiting times.

He said: “The fact that nearly two-thirds of people in Scotland claim to be satisfied with our health service is testament to the incredible work of all our staff in the NHS.

“In the last seven years, we’ve taken important steps to improve the way our health service is run, including putting an extra 8,500 staff into our NHS and protecting the frontline budget - rising to a record £11.8 billion in 2015/16. Waiting times have improved substantially in recent years, even as the NHS is treating more patients than ever before.

“The SSAS survey confirms what previous surveys have shown - that most patients in Scotland experience a high level of care in our health service.”

The poll found that 26% of people were either very or quite dissatisfied with the NHS, down from 44% in 2005.

The majority of people (59%) thought the Government would provide better quality care services than the private sector.

:: The survey of 1,497 people was carried out between June and October last year