Patients concerned about long-term care provisions

A recent survey conducted by KPMG has found that only 12% of patients are ‘very confident’ that the NHS will be able to meet their long-term health care needs.

Instead, many suggest that they want to be looked after by a combination of paid professional staff and family members (69%) with some accepting that nursing care homes ‘will provide the best support in my latter years’ (45%).

KPMG’s survey also sought to explore why patients are concerned about the prospects for their long-term care. The majority of those questioned (74%) suggested that teams of healthcare workers change to frequently to have a positive effect, and 79% went further, claiming that, too often, ‘quality of life’ is mistaken for ‘quality of care’.

The issue of paying for long-term care is clearly felt keenly by the UK population. KPMG’s survey reveals that although 82% believe Government should pay for long-term care, just 9% assume they won’t have to make a contribution to the cost of care, beyond taxes. Asked how funding should be met 35% agreed that individuals should help foot the bill, whilst 27% put the onus on patients’ families. Just over one-third agreed with the idea that private insurance should contribute.

The survey concluded by examining attitudes towards long-term healthcare.  Whilst 64% accepted that, where clinically possible, patients should be treated at home, only 36% were comfortable with the idea of using technology such as video consultations to reduce time spent on the ward. Nearly half (48%) feared the impact of technology on patient-carer interaction.

“It’s encouraging to see a heavy dose of realism with many patients accepting that the Government can’t be expected to cover all costs unless taxes rise substantially or major savings are made elsewhere,” commented said Andrew Hine, UK head of health at KPMG. “Yet part of the problem lies in perception. Too many patients still think that they can only receive help in hospital; they are yet to accept that technology can keep costs down and provide quality care in a home environment. Changing that perception is key to providing both quality and affordable care for the future.”

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