The majority of managers in the health service do not believe the NHS will be free in 60 years’ time, a survey shows.
The questionnaire was conducted to mark the 60th anniversary of the NHS and found 79% of bosses do not believe the NHS will be free at the point of demand in 2068.
The poll by the Health Service Journal also discovered 57% of managers do not believe the NHS is providing medical, nursing and dental care for all.
And a further 58% do not believe it will be able to maintain a “cradle to the grave” service in 2068.
Most of the bosses questioned also said the move away from free care will mean even more services become privatised, or patients will have to top-up their costs for non-essential treatment with insurance cover.
Around 75% said Labour have done the most over the last 60 years to ensure the NHS provides the best possible service by upholding its founding principles.
And almost two-thirds of managers said they will continue working in the NHS for the rest of their careers, although “many” said the pension scheme is the main reason for this.
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