A quarter of adults are ignoring a serious health issue – because they don’t want to burden the under-pressure NHS, a survey has found. Researchers found that potentially millions of people are suffering in silence, to avoid contributing to the health system backlog.
The poll of 1,500 people found that one in four are putting up with serious conditions such as worn hips, respiratory illness, and gynaecological concerns.
Meanwhile, 35 percent said they have refrained from getting a nagging – but less serious – health concern checked-out, with four in 10 of this group saying they would rather not add to the NHS burden, due to strikes and backlogs.
And 28 percent are waiting for their issue to become more urgent before they try to get an appointment.
More than half (53 percent) described the current situation with the NHS as a “ticking timebomb” – with 84 percent believing it’s time for the government to iron out pay disputes with unions.
Jim Easton, chief executive at Practice Plus Group, which commissioned the research, said: “What’s so concerning about these figures is the fact that, outside of the already long waiting lists and booked operations being cancelled, the strikes are adding to the hidden backlog of people sitting at home, not wanting to come forward and trouble an NHS in crisis this winter.
“Many of these people are waiting for their concerns to become more serious before they seek help – which will result in more complex cases in the future, and more pressure on urgent and emergency care.
“There’s still a lot of sympathy and support for junior doctors and the NHS as a whole – however, the longer the dispute goes on, the more problems are being stored up for the future.”
Just over half of those polled (55 percent) only have a vague idea of why junior doctors are on strike in January – while 19 percent don’t have a clue.
Almost half (47 percent) think the six-day strike between January 3rd to 7th feels too long – but 33 percent believe it necessary to reach a deal.
Support for workers is strong with the public, with 62 percent having sympathy for them during the ongoing pay disputes, according to the data from OnePoll.com.
More than two-thirds (68 percent) reckon they’re underpaid for what they do, and 37 percent think they’ve had to wait a long time for a pay rise.
Meanwhile, 36 percent sympathise with them having to deal with sub-standard working conditions – and 63 percent reckon staff have been unfairly neglected over the last decade.
However, 83 percent believe strikes are having a major impact on wait times, with 17 percent on the waiting list for an operation or appointment. And 71 percent of those waiting are fearful of being cancelled on, as a result of the disputes.
Jim Easton, from Practice Plus Group, added: “The study found almost a fifth would be open to looking at private healthcare due to the knock-on effect from the strikes. We see this every day – we treat both NHS and private patients in our hospitals, and the main difference is speed.
“NHS patients, for various reasons, face hurdles in getting a referral and being put on the waiting list in the first place – and naturally, people are seeking lower cost, high quality private options, that get them well sooner.
“All anyone wants is to get the NHS back to its best. The whole healthcare system is stronger when the NHS is functioning well, and meeting the demands of the public.”
