Half of Britons avoid calling GP when they are ill, survey finds

The Guardian - World NewsEN 3 min read 100% complete by Denis Campbell health policy editorFebruary 25, 2026 at 01:01 AM

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A recent UK survey by Ipsos for the Health Foundation found that nearly half (48%) of Britons avoided contacting their GP in the past year due to anticipated difficulty in securing an appointment. The survey of 2,214 adults, conducted in December, revealed that 30% did not expect a timely appointment, and 17% anticipated difficulty contacting their practice. This reluctance to seek GP care raises concerns about potential health consequences and the accessibility of NHS services. Separate polling also indicated that one-third of Britons avoided A&E visits due to expected delays. The findings highlight public concerns about accessing vital NHS services and suggest a need to reassess healthcare priorities, particularly regarding GP and A&E access.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Ipsos 60% Health Foundation 70% NHS ×380% Victoria Tzortziou Brown 90% United Kingdom ×2100%

Keywords

gp access 90% nhs 80% avoiding gp 80% appointment difficulties 70% healthcare access 60% a&e 60% health service 50% public health 50% patient care 40%