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Public Opinion and the National Health Service: Patterns and Perspectives in Consumer Satisfaction*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2009

Ken Judge  and
Michael Solomon
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Abstract

This paper examines the nature of public opinion concerning the National Health Service. Data from two series of national surveys covering the period 1983–92 are used to analyse trends in opinion. OPCS data for 1991–2 are examined in more detail to investigate the determinants of satisfaction with health services. A range of demographic, socio-economic and health status characteristics, as well as media coverage of health-related issues, are found to be significantly related to expressions of satisfaction with the NHS, in addition to recent experience of using health services. The complexity of the formation and expression of public opinion is acknowledged. In particular, the importance of taking note of the methodological implications and political context associated with expressions of public opinion is emphasised.

Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Social Policy , Volume 22 , Issue 3 , July 1993 , pp. 299 - 327
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1993

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