GP access: Half of Britons avoid doctors as NHS struggles

Published: 25 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

Almost half of Britons admit they delay or entirely avoid contacting their GP when ill, according to recent survey results. The findings reveal that 48% of adults across the UK did not seek help from their family doctor over the past year, either postponing or abandoning attempts to get medical advice entirely. Many respondents explained that their decision stemmed from concerns about struggling to secure a timely GP appointment, leaving them to manage their illnesses alone. Over a quarter, 27%, reported attempting to treat themselves or simply waiting for symptoms to resolve, despite medical professionals warning that delaying care can pose serious health risks. This growing hesitation underscores why GP access is becoming a critical concern for healthcare policy.

This survey highlights a growing public anxiety over access to vital NHS services, including GP appointments, accident and emergency care, hospital treatment, and emergency ambulance responses. Polling conducted by Ipsos for the Health Foundation thinktank found that three in ten participants did not expect to be offered a GP appointment at a convenient time, while 17% felt contacting their surgery would be difficult or inconvenient. The results underscore concerns about patient access to general practice, which remains the frontline of the health service. GP access is therefore essential for preventing more serious health problems and ensuring timely care.

Professor Victoria Tzortziou Brown, chair of the Royal College of GPs, emphasised the risks of delaying care. She said it is worrying that patients might postpone treatment because they assume securing an appointment will be difficult, reminding the public that timely GP access is essential for preventing more serious health problems. A separate poll by Savanta for the Liberal Democrats showed that one-third of Britons had avoided going to A&E in the past two years, anticipating long waiting times before receiving treatment.

Helen Maguire, a health spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats, said these findings are deeply concerning. She pointed to vulnerable groups, such as elderly individuals and parents of sick children, who may suffer at home due to a lack of confidence in the NHS’s accessibility. The thinktank also warned that the government’s plan to shift significant healthcare services from hospitals to community settings, part of a ten-year NHS transformation plan, may need reassessment if public confidence remains low. Persistent concerns about general practice and A&E services suggest that policymakers should reconsider priorities to ensure safe and timely care for patients. Ensuring reliable GP access remains one of the most urgent priorities in these reforms.

The Ipsos survey, conducted in December with 2,214 adults, painted a stark picture of public perception about the NHS. Access to GP services and faster emergency care were identified as the top priorities for the public, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction with current service levels. Only 32% of respondents considered the NHS’s overall performance to be good, while 42% believed care standards had worsened over the past year. Moreover, 47% feared the service would deteriorate further in the coming year, with only 15% expecting any improvement. These figures suggest that confidence in the government’s health policies is also low, with just 15% approving the actions taken to revive services in their respective nations, compared to 54% expressing disagreement.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting, alongside his counterparts in Edinburgh and Cardiff, faces a significant challenge in addressing public dissatisfaction. The recent release of the GP contract for 2025-26 seeks to ensure that patients with urgent medical needs can be seen on the same day. The contract also allocates £300 million to hire 1,600 additional doctors in England, aiming to relieve some pressure on overstretched surgeries. While the measures are intended to improve patient access, doctors have raised concerns about the practicality of delivering same-day urgent care alongside regular practice duties. Improving GP access is critical, but must be balanced with realistic expectations and available staffing.

Dr Katie Bramall, chair of the British Medical Association’s GP committee, criticised the contract process, highlighting that it bypassed negotiation with the BMA, breaking from a long-standing practice. Bramall warned that the plan risks creating unrealistic expectations of unlimited same-day urgent care while placing additional barriers around specialist referrals. She stressed that family doctors are already under immense pressure, managing increasing workloads while keeping surgeries operational amid a climate of staff shortages and rising demand. Strengthening GP access without overburdening practices remains one of the sector’s most difficult challenges.

Experts emphasise that improving access to GPs and A&E is not solely a matter of funding, but also requires careful planning to ensure sustainable care delivery. Patients’ experiences of difficulty in contacting their GP can exacerbate health inequalities, particularly for those with chronic conditions or limited digital access. The Health Foundation’s survey revealed that public pessimism about the NHS is widespread, with many fearing that ongoing staffing shortages and pressure on emergency departments will lead to further deterioration in care quality. Prioritising GP access is therefore essential to restoring trust and ensuring equitable healthcare for all.

The reluctance of almost half of the public to contact their GP also has implications for preventative healthcare. Delays in seeking medical advice can prevent early detection of serious conditions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer, potentially increasing long-term treatment costs and strain on hospital services. Healthcare analysts suggest that the government must prioritise improving appointment availability and patient communication to rebuild confidence in primary care services.

Meanwhile, political leaders face mounting pressure to respond to public concerns. The Liberal Democrats have urged immediate action to restore trust in the NHS, emphasising the need for transparent communication and practical solutions to reduce waiting times. Patients have expressed frustration over difficulties securing appointments, citing instances where they were advised to wait days or weeks despite urgent symptoms. Many have highlighted that the perception of inaccessibility discourages people from seeking care at all, creating a vicious cycle of delayed treatment and worsening health outcomes.

The situation also underscores the role of digital health initiatives, which the government has promoted to improve efficiency. Online appointment booking and remote consultations aim to reduce delays, but critics argue that these solutions are insufficient when staffing shortages and high demand limit practical availability. Medical professionals caution that digital tools must complement, not replace, physical access to GPs and emergency care, particularly for vulnerable populations.

Public confidence in the NHS hinges on both perception and delivery of services. Surveys indicate that patients value timely access above all, with GP availability and prompt emergency response forming the cornerstone of public trust. Policymakers are urged to listen to these concerns and develop strategies that balance resource allocation with realistic expectations for care. Without decisive action, the survey suggests that GP access challenges could continue to rise, undermining broader NHS reform objectives.

The findings make clear that healthcare access remains the most pressing concern for Britons. While government initiatives aim to expand capacity and provide additional funding, challenges persist in translating policy into tangible improvements for everyday patients. Observers note that rebuilding trust in the NHS requires sustained effort, clear communication, and practical reforms to ensure that urgent and routine care are consistently available across the country.

In conclusion, the survey highlights the serious implications of nearly half the population avoiding GP contact. Delays and self-management of illnesses not only risk individual health but also signal systemic pressures within the NHS that must be addressed. Political leaders, healthcare providers, and policymakers face an urgent need to restore confidence, improve access, and ensure that GP access remains reliable for the public now and into the future.

Check our latest news