'Shock' that NHS satisfaction has fallen so significantly

The value of this survey is that it has tracked public satisfaction over a long period, providing an important barometer of how the public view the NHS.

The run of year-on-year increases in NHS satisfaction had to come to an end at some stage, and it is not surprising this has happened when the NHS is facing a well-publicised spending squeeze.

Nevertheless, it is something of a shock that it has fallen so significantly. This will be a concern to the Government, given it appears to be closely linked with the debate on its NHS reforms.