Generational Differences in NHS Satisfaction
Only one in five individuals under the age of 35 report being satisfied with the NHS, compared to more than a third of those aged 65 and over, according to an analysis of the annual British Social Attitudes survey.
Although satisfaction with the NHS has increased for the first time since before the Covid-19 pandemic, experts caution that these improvements remain "fragile" and emphasize that significant work is still required to enhance public perception.
Government Response and Recovery Efforts
In response, Health Secretary Wes Streeting announced plans to place the worst-performing NHS trusts in England into an "intensive recovery" programme. The trusts identified include North Cumbria Integrated Care Trust, Mid and South Essex Trust, Hull University Teaching Hospitals Trust, Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Trust, and East Kent Hospitals Trust.
Survey Details and Expert Commentary
The 2025 survey, which included 3,400 participants from England, Scotland, and Wales, was conducted between August and October 2025.
"The boost in satisfaction with the NHS has not been felt equally across age groups.
"A stark generational divide remains, with older people still most likely to be optimistic about the health service.
"The government and NHS leaders should pay particular attention to figuring out what could improve younger people's perceptions of the service given this is now a longstanding trend."
These remarks were made by Bea Taylor of the Nuffield Trust, a health policy think tank.
Health Secretary's Statement on NHS Progress
Health Secretary Wes Streeting expressed cautious optimism about the NHS's trajectory, stating that while progress has been made, there remains "a lot of road ahead."
"The biggest drop in dissatisfaction since 1998 doesn't happen by accident.
"It is thanks to the government's investment and modernisation - all of which has been hard fought but is now delivering results.
"Waiting lists are the lowest they've been in three years, more patients in A&E are seen within four hours than for four years, and ambulance response times are the fastest for five years,"
Streeting added.
Survey Administration
The survey was conducted by the National Centre for Social Research.
