The Government continues to lose out in the NHS confidence battle.  The latest PHP Thermometer - a survey of the public's attitudes towards the NHS and medical insurance - shows, for the Government, a disturbing further damaging reduction in the numbers of people confident about the level of treatment the NHS can provide.

From the latest (third) survey- carried out by ICM Research and sponsored by The Private Health Partnership, a leading independent medical insurance adviser, events and bad publicity over recent months would appear to have further dented the public's confidence.

The percentage of those now more confident about NHS treatment had slumped to 25% compared with 43% in the previous July 2005 PHP Thermometer and 42% a year ago. Interestingly lack of confidences continues high both in Scotland at 38% and in the South East at 37%.  A slight glimmer of encouragement is in the 65+ age group where confidence levels increased most.

In an attempt to discover some of the reasons for the public's waning confidence, the public was asked what factors would make them seriously consider buying medical insurance.

Doubling of NHS waiting lists came top of the feared list closely followed by super-bug (MRSA) rates being much lower in private hospitals.  Tax relief on premiums was only the third most important factor, (the Conservative party also appear to have ruled this out), to encourage taking out medical insurance.  Interestingly, women were much less inclined than men to consider this a reason to do so.

Lower cost for medical insurance would nudge around a third of the respondents to insurance but last of the key influences was the likely impact on the NHS because of a bird flu epidemic.

While the findings indicate the public's lack of belief, or experience, in the declared improvements in the NHS medical insurers continue to fail in getting their messages across about the value of medical insurance.  The latest findings also show that those considering themselves not knowledgeable about medical insurance had increased to 51% with women and over 65s particularly so.

Jan Lawson, managing director of The Private Health Partnership commented, "The latest survey continues to cause concern as ideally medical insurance interacts with the NHS to the benefit of both systems.  Certainly the level of people feeling that they are not knowledgeable about medical insurance is unacceptably high.  A solution to this problem could be more widespread education about the way insurance works and, crucially, examples of how it has worked in reality for millions of people.

"Part of the educational process is the preparedness within the industry to provide fair and impartial advice.  We believe much more needs to be done in this direction because as the survey has shown confidence levels need a boost in the worth of PMI as well as the much maligned NHS".                  

ENDS

Over the last year are you more or less confident in the treatment that the NHS can provide for you?

By age

Age group                                Total      18-24  25-34  35-44  45-54  55-64  65+

More confident  Jan 2006          25%       15%    20%    23%    22%    24%    39%

More confident  Jul 2005           43%       47%    45%    41%    34%    45%    46%

More confident  Jan 2005          42%       41%    40%    39%    37%    44%    48%

Notes to Editors

1. The data tables supporting the research are attached.
2. Research for the 'PHP Thermometer' was carried out by ICM Research, an independent research company.  ICM Research interviewed a random sample of 1004 adults aged 18+ by telephone between 15-18 December 2005.  Interviews were conducted across the country and the results have been weighted to the profile of all adults.  ICM is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.  Further information at www.icmresearch.co.uk
3. This is the third 'PHP Thermometer' commissioned by The Private Health Partnership Ltd.  Previous 'PHP Thermometers' were published in January and July 2005.  
4. The Private Health Partnership Ltd is based in Otley, Yorkshire .   Founded in 1988, the company is now part of Skipton Building Society group and can claim to be one of the oldest and most experienced specialist private health insurance and healthcare advisers/intermediaries.
5. The 'PHP Thermometer' is also in association with industry publication the 'Protection Review'.  The Protection Review is produced annually by two experts in the protection insurance field, leading commentator Andy Couchman and marketing consultant, Peter Le Beau.  The first issue was launched in 2003.

Click here for NHS Survey: December 15th-18th 2005