A You Gov poll* commissioned by UNISON reveals that the majority (62%) of the
public do not trust the government to handle the NHS. Just one in four (26%)
supports its controversial Health and Social Care Bill.
Less than a third (28%) are in favour of GPs having the power to commission
health services from private companies – a central plank of the bill. There has
been consistent public opposition to GPs using private companies to provide
NHS services, a You Gov poll by the union last January (2011) revealed that only
27% supported the moves.
The poll results also spell trouble for the coalition with the Lib Dems showing
hostility to both the Health and Social Care Bill and the government’s handling
of the NHS. Only 12% of 2010 Lib Dem voters support the bill and just 20% trust
the government’s handling of the NHS. 64% of 2010 Lib Dem voters are against
private companies being commissioned by GPs to provide services. The
government can’t even muster majority support amongst Tory voters – just 47%
say they were in favour of the move. Nearly a quarter (24%) of Tory voters say
they do not trust the government with the health service.
The union is once again urging the government to listen to patients, health
professionals, unions, Royal Colleges, think tanks, and to the public, and to
drop the flawed bill.
Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said:
“The government has to drop its Health and Social Care Bill. UNISON’s poll
shows that the hundreds of amendments, and the so-called the listening
exercise simply haven’t worked. The public doesn’t trust the Government with
the NHS and realises that this Frankenstein bill will mean the end of the health
service as we know it.
“The Tory-led coalition is going back on pre-election promises, ploughing on
despite the mounting opposition to this expensive re-organisation. Meanwhile,
all over the country health workers are losing their jobs, as patients have pain-
relieving operations cancelled. The government needs to start listening. Voters
will never forgive, or forget, the party that ruins our NHS.”
Notes to editors
*All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size
was 1,644 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 8th – 9th February 2012.
The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are
representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).
ENDS