The United Kingdom's healthcare system is facing significant challenges, according to a recent report by the Healthcare Foundation. The analysis, based on the 2023 Commonwealth Fund survey, reveals that British healthcare is underperforming compared to other wealthy nations across multiple metrics.
One of the most pressing issues is the limited access to general practitioners (GPs). UK patients reported having the least time with their GPs among the surveyed countries. Only 58% of respondents said they were often or always able to get enough time with their regular GP, a sharp decline from 85% a decade ago. This statistic is particularly concerning given that the NHS deals with over 1 million patients every 36 hours.
The situation with specialist appointments is equally troubling. The UK had the highest percentage of patients waiting at least a year to see a hospital specialist, at 11%. This represents a significant deterioration from 2013 when the UK was among the better-performing nations in this aspect. In 2023, 61% of respondents waited at least four weeks for a specialist appointment, compared to just 14% in 2013.
"These findings show the UK consistently coming near the bottom of the pack on people's experience of healthcare compared with other high-income countries. It sheds yet more light on just how much work the Government has to do to get the NHS back on its feet."
The report also highlighted issues with information sharing and after-hours care. UK patients were most likely to report that their hospital consultant couldn't access information or test results from their regular doctor. Additionally, only 16% of patients found it easy to get medical care during evenings and weekends, second only to Sweden's 10%.
While the UK healthcare system, primarily public with only about 10.5% of the population having private health insurance, has fewer financial barriers to access than most other countries, it's facing increasing challenges. Dental care accessibility has worsened, with 26% of people in the UK skipping dental care or check-ups due to cost in 2023, up from 6% in 2013.
The NHS, established in 1948 and now the fifth largest employer globally, is under immense pressure. As of June 2024, an estimated 7.62 million treatments were waiting to be carried out, relating to 6.39 million patients. This situation is exacerbated by the fact that the UK has fewer doctors and hospital beds per capita compared to many other developed countries.
It's important to note that higher healthcare spending doesn't always correlate with better performance. While some countries with shorter wait times, like Germany, spend more on healthcare, others like Canada and Sweden, which spend more per capita than the UK, also report long waiting times.
The challenges facing the NHS are multifaceted and require a comprehensive approach. As Thorlby suggests, improving primary care and ensuring good coordination between hospitals and GPs are crucial steps. With the right mix of policy change, innovation, and investment, the NHS can work towards recovery and better serve the health needs of the UK population.