Concerns over GP appointment access UK are growing after new survey data revealed that almost half of the public delay or avoid contacting their family doctor when they fall ill, largely because they expect difficulties securing an appointment.
The research found that 48% of people across the UK did not seek help from their GP surgery — either immediately or at all — during the past year when they were unwell. The figures highlight mounting public anxiety about access to frontline NHS services and raise fresh questions about the government’s plans to shift more care into community settings.
Patients Choosing Self-Care Over GP Visits
According to the survey, just over a quarter of respondents (27%) chose to manage their illness themselves or simply wait for symptoms to improve, despite warnings from clinicians that delaying medical advice can seriously harm health outcomes.
Pollsters Ipsos conducted the representative survey of 2,214 adults on behalf of the Health Foundation thinktank. It found that three in 10 people did not expect to be offered a GP appointment at a suitable time, while 17% believed contacting their practice would be difficult.
Medical leaders say the findings are troubling because general practice remains the main gateway into the NHS.
Prof Victoria Tzortziou Brown, chair of the Royal College of GPs, warned that patients should be able to access timely care when needed. She said it was concerning that some people may be postponing treatment because they believe appointments are too hard to obtain.
Wider NHS Access Fears
The survey reflects broader public unease about access to urgent care across the health service. Separate polling by Savanta for the Liberal Democrats found that one in three Britons had avoided going to A&E in the past two years despite needing treatment, mainly because they anticipated long waiting times.
Health spokesperson Helen Maguire said patients deserved far better access, warning it was distressing to imagine vulnerable people staying home in pain because they lacked confidence in the system.
The Health Foundation said the data should act as a warning signal for policymakers, particularly as ministers pursue one of the NHS’s major strategic shifts: moving more healthcare delivery out of hospitals and into community settings such as GP surgeries.
Public Confidence in the NHS Declines
The Ipsos research also revealed widespread pessimism about the health service’s performance. Faster GP and A&E access emerged as the public’s top priorities.
Only 32% of respondents believe the NHS currently provides a good service nationally. Meanwhile, 42% think care standards have worsened over the past year, compared with just 12% who believe they have improved.
Looking ahead, nearly half (47%) expect NHS performance to deteriorate further over the next 12 months, while only 15% anticipate improvement. Confidence in government strategy is also low, with just 15% believing ministers are pursuing the right policies to restore the health service, compared with 54% who disagree.
New GP Contract and Workforce Plans
The findings were published as Health Secretary Wes Streeting unveiled a new GP contract for England covering 2025–26. The agreement requires practices to offer same-day appointments for patients with urgent medical needs and includes £300 million in reallocated funding intended to recruit 1,600 additional doctors.
However, GP representatives have expressed concern about the practical implications.
Dr Katie Bramall, chair of the British Medical Association’s GP committee, warned that family doctors may face unrealistic expectations around delivering unlimited same-day urgent care while also managing pressures such as specialist referrals and potential surgery closures.
She also criticised the government for not negotiating the contract directly with the BMA, breaking with longstanding practice. The health secretary instead consulted a broader group of GP and patient organisations after disputes over plans to expand online GP access during working hours.
Background: Pressure on Primary Care
Access to GP services has been a persistent political and public concern since the COVID-19 pandemic, which accelerated the shift toward remote consultations but also contributed to backlogs and workforce strain.
Demand for primary care continues to rise due to an ageing population, increasing chronic illness and post-pandemic healthcare needs. At the same time, many GP practices report staffing shortages and funding pressures.
Experts warn that unless access improves, more patients may delay treatment, potentially increasing pressure on hospitals later and undermining wider NHS reform efforts.