A fifth 'more likely' to want private healthcare after election

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After the election 17% of people say its outcome has made them more likely to want private healthcare, a survey for Benenden has found.

The majority of those polled (60%) believe the NHS will get worse over the next five years, while 58% believe the new government will be worse for the NHS than the coalition.

The involvement of private providers of all types was seen as ‘no problem' by over 50% of respondents.

However a third would rather the NHS work with non-profits such as mutuals only, the survey of 1025 people found.

The top priorities for healthcare funding were cancer and preventative health, with obesity and orthopaedics the lowest priorities.

Heart disease and mental health were the third and fourth top priorities respectively, while stoke and dementia care were joint fifth.

The idea of using "super hospitals" to deal with major health issues such as heart attacks and strokes was supported while other conditions those surveyed felt were best treated locally.

Marc Bell, chief executive of Benenden, said: "The Government must sit up and take note of what the public feel in relation to NHS funding priorities and the involvement of third sector organisations in the health service.

"This report clearly shows that the public is happy to see a "mixed market" for the provision of healthcare in the UK."

Further Reading:

Summer Budget 2015: 'Our priority is the NHS' - Osborne

NHS changes could see cashplans expand - Simplyhealth

Welfare and NHS changes in Queen's Speech

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