Is public confidence in the NHS finally turning a corner, or is this just a temporary lift?  

In this episode of Health on the Line, we’re diving into the latest British Social Attitudes survey and what it reveals about how the public feels about the NHS in 2025. 

Matthew Taylor is joined by Dan Wellings, senior fellow at The King’s Fund and Leonora Merry, director of communications and external affairs at The Nuffield Trust, to unpack the data behind a modest rise in NHS satisfaction.  

The trio discuss how the headline improvement perhaps obscures a more complex picture: persistent dissatisfaction, stark generational divides and ongoing frustration with access to care. 

They also explore why waiting times and access rather than quality of care remain the biggest drivers of public opinion, how the COVID-19 legacy continues to shape perceptions and why, despite the latest BSA results, optimism about the future of the NHS has hit record lows.  

We also hear from The NHS Alliance’s deputy chief executive, Sarah Walter and director of communications, Daniel Reynolds, who discuss the new organisation, outlining its ambition to provide a stronger, unified voice for members across the health system. 

Health on the Line is an NHS Alliance podcast, produced by Health Comms Plus.  

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