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Patient Access Sentiment

A patient-facing view of access friction, using survey-based signals on contacting GP services and dissatisfaction around waiting-list communication.

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Elective Diagnostics Time-critical System pressure Sentiment
Latest pillar reading
54.0
Strained
Data month: May 2026

Weight in headline index: 10%

What this pillar is showing

This pillar adds a lived-experience layer to the hard operational data. It is useful because access pressure is not only about numbers in the system, but also how difficult the process feels to patients.

Primary chart

Pillar score history

This is the main trend line for the pillar itself. It shows how pressure in this area has moved over recent scored months. Higher scores mean more access pressure.

Range
Show

Patient Access Sentiment fell by 2.1 points to 54.0 in May 2026. Higher scores mean more access pressure.

Status bands are shown as background ranges. The latest point is highlighted; hover or tap points for month, score, change and comparison values.

View chart data table
Month Pillar score 3-month average Headline index
July 2024 62.9 62.9 58.8
August 2024 73.7 68.3 58.2
September 2024 68.8 68.5 59.9
October 2024 63.1 68.5 60.4
November 2024 58.7 63.5 57.0
December 2024 61.0 60.9 58.3
January 2025 54.0 57.9 61.5
February 2025 51.5 55.5 54.6
March 2025 52.5 52.7 53.3
April 2025 55.4 53.1 55.9
May 2025 50.6 52.8 56.3
June 2025 49.0 51.7 54.7
July 2025 51.7 50.4 54.1
August 2025 51.1 50.6 55.5
September 2025 53.4 52.1 57.2
October 2025 53.4 52.6 57.6
November 2025 59.9 55.6 56.5
December 2025 56.3 56.5 56.3
January 2026 53.0 56.4 62.8
February 2026 59.0 56.1 55.3
March 2026 55.9 56.0 54.7
April 2026 56.1 57.0 57.6
May 2026 54.0 55.3 54.0

Latest context

Latest pillar score
54.0
Raw score for May 2026.
Weighted contribution
5.4
Contribution into the headline Treatment Access Index.
Headline index same month
54.0
Useful for comparing this pillar against the overall access environment.

Secondary charts

Difficult GP access sentiment

GP difficulty
7.6%

Patients reporting difficulty making contact or accessing GP services.

Range
View data
MonthDifficult GP access sentiment
Jul 24 18.7%
Aug 24 14.0%
Sep 24 12.0%
Oct 24 10.8%
Nov 24 11.2%
Dec 24 11.2%
Jan 25 9.1%
Feb 25 9.3%
Mar 25 9.9%
Apr 25 10.7%
May 25 10.6%
Jun 25 8.9%
Jul 25 9.0%
Aug 25 8.1%
Sep 25 8.0%
Oct 25 9.1%
Nov 25 9.1%
Dec 25 8.0%
Jan 26 7.1%
Feb 26 8.8%
Mar 26 8.2%
Apr 26 8.0%
May 26 7.6%

Negative waiting sentiment

Waiting dissatisfaction
43.2%

Patients reporting dissatisfaction around waiting-list communication.

Range
View data
MonthNegative waiting sentiment
Aug 24 47.4%
Sep 24 46.9%
Oct 24 45.1%
Nov 24 42.4%
Dec 24 43.6%
Jan 25 42.1%
Feb 25 40.6%
Mar 25 40.5%
Apr 25 41.2%
May 25 38.8%
Jun 25 39.7%
Jul 25 41.0%
Aug 25 41.6%
Sep 25 42.9%
Oct 25 41.8%
Nov 25 45.2%
Dec 25 44.4%
Jan 26 42.7%
Feb 26 45.0%
Mar 26 44.0%
Apr 26 44.3%
May 26 43.2%

What to watch

  • Difficult GP access sentiment: Patients reporting difficulty making contact or accessing GP services.
  • Negative waiting sentiment: Patients reporting dissatisfaction around waiting-list communication.
Private treatment context

How access frustration can shape PMI questions

Patient sentiment data helps show how difficult the system can feel from the user side. If access frustration is making someone consider PMI, the next step is to understand what cover can realistically do, what it excludes, and how to compare policies sensibly.

How to compare PMI providers Should you use a PMI broker? What PMI cover includes Is PMI worth it?

Important note

The Treatment Access Index is general information only. It is not medical advice, insurance advice, or a recommendation to buy private medical insurance. You should consider your own needs and speak to a suitable specialist before making decisions about cover.