A YouGov poll published on 22nd October has shown that around a quarter of British patients (based on the survey’s sample population) would be willing to pay for GP appointments. The Everyday Health Tracker, which regularly surveys up to 2,000 UK adults, found that 24% of respondents were willing to pay part of the cost towards visiting their GP. Those in higher managerial positions were somewhat more likely to be willing to do so, at 26%, compared with 20% who are in education or in lower income jobs. Over half of respondents to the survey said they believe that ‘the NHS can’t do everything’ to cover all areas of healthcare in the future, with some expressing willingness towards financing their own physiotherapy, chiropody or home support and rehabilitation. Over a third were willing to pay for access to mental healthcare and talking therapies.
YouGov associate director Tom Rees commented that ‘the debate around GP waiting times and seven-day service is one that continues to divide opinion. For many, the NHS should be free at the point of service, and paying for GPs is simply not an option. But for others, it seems as though they would be willing to share some of the financial burden. With the financial pressures facing the health service it may only be a matter of time before radical approaches have to be considered. Whether these would be politically viable is another matter.’