NHS Confederation - Nearly half of politicians think 'free' NHS is in jeopardy
31 Mar 2014 12:23 PM
Almost half of UK politicians believe an NHS
free at the point of need could be consigned to the history books if the
challenges facing the health service are not addressed, an NHS Confederation
survey of MPs shows.
Published on the eve of the reformed NHS’ first
anniversary, the survey of a cross-section of 100 MPs found that 48 per
cent of MPs fear a free NHS may be unsustainable if challenges facing the
service are not tackled.
The
survey – conducted for the NHS Confederation by parliamentary and
political intelligence service Dods – also reveals 81 per cent of MPs
believe the NHS in their constituency needs to change to meet the needs of
patients in the future.
'Insufficient political
will'
Yet
65 per cent say there is insufficient political will to permit change, and one
in four say they would not back changes to their local NHS if their
constituents are opposed.
Rob
Webster, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said: "These results
reveal there is cross-party consensus about the need to make changes to the NHS
and that there are doubts about whether there is the political will to do
so.
"This comes on the back of our member survey published last week, that showed significant
backing for change from NHS senior leaders, who voiced doubts that change will
be achieved in the current environment.
'Apolitical
conversation'
"The resounding message from this survey is
clear – we need an open and honest apolitical conversation between
the public, patients, politicians and those delivering healthcare across our
communities, about the future challenges facing the NHS.
"We must then all support each other to drive
forward the changes needed to ensure we can deliver a 21st century NHS where we
have the right care, in the right place, at the right time.
"Our 2015 Challenge seeks to do just this –
supporting politicians with the evidence and seeking to engage the public. To
safeguard an NHS free at the point of need, we all have a responsibility to
meet the challenges facing our health and care system head-on – with
everyone playing a part.”
Attitudes towards changes
The
survey gathered the views of MPs across the UK on their attitudes towards
changes needed in the health service.
Q1. The NHS needs to change in my constituency
to meet the needs of patients in the future
81
per cent of all respondents strongly agree/agree
Breakdown by party:
- Conservative – 85 per cent strongly
agree/agree
- Labour – 73 per cent strongly
agree/agree
- Lib
Democrat – 75 per cent strongly agree/agree
- Other – 80 per cent strongly
agree/agree.
Q2. There is sufficient political will to permit
such changes
35
per cent of all respondents strongly agree/agree
Breakdown by party:
- Conservative – 41 per cent strongly
agree/agree
- Labour – 23 per cent strongly
agree/agree
- Lib
Dem – 51 per cent strongly agree/agree
- Other – 40 per cent strongly
agree/agree.
Q3. Any such changes are likely to be opposed by
my constituents
43
per cent of all respondents strongly agree/agree
Breakdown by party:
- Conservative – 43 per cent strongly
agree/agree
- Labour – 46 per cent strongly
agree/agree
- Lib
Dem – 38 per cent strongly agree/agree
- Other – 20 per cent strongly
agree/agree.
Q4. If the challenges facing the NHS are not
addressed, then it may not remain free at the point of
need
48
per cent of all respondents strongly agree/agree
Breakdown by party:
- Conservative – 53 per cent strongly
agree/agree
- Labour – 39 per cent strongly
agree/agree
- Lib
Dem – 50 per cent strongly agree/agree
- Other – 60 per cent strongly
agree/agree/
Q5. What would persuade you to back changes to
your local NHS?
- public support of plans by clinicians – 69
per cent of all respondents strongly agree/agree
- evidence the changes will improve patient
care – 93 per cent of all respondents strongly
agree/agree
- evidence the changes will save money – 53 per
cent of all respondents strongly agree/agree
- none of the above if constituents are
opposed – 25 per cent of all respondents strongly
agree/agree.
Breakdown of interviewed political party
MPs:
- Conservative – 39
- Labour – 48
- Liberal Dem – 8
- Other – 5
The
figures used in the survey are weighted by party to reflect the political
composition of the House of Commons.