Two thirds of over-50s NHS users have concerns about hospital service, a Saga Health Insurance study has reported.
One in six of said-demographic cited cleanliness and communication as main concerns; twice as many reported declines in NHS perceptions since 2010.
Roger Ramsden, chief executive of Saga Services, said: "While people are still, in the main, confident with the quality of the NHS treatment, it is the wider hospital service that can be significantly improved upon, better communication between doctor and patient would go a long way to achieve this.
"Waiting times are always of key interest to the over-50s and recent reports suggesting that some trusts may be limiting ‘non-urgent' treatment, will only serve to cause greater concern."
The research also showed; car parking was the biggest concern for a third of over 50s; communication with medical staff was an issue for one in five of over-50s; and 18% of all respondents were concerned about cleanliness.
Populus interviewed 2,048 adults online between 11 and 13 May this year. There were 960 respondents over 50, and 488 retired.
An NHS Confederation survey of 200 NHS chief executives indicated some NHS trusts were delaying ‘non-urgent' treatment; a third said waiting times had risen.
