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Decline in healthy life expectancy in UK sparks debate over NHS role
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Decline in healthy life expectancy in UK sparks debate over NHS role
Healthy life expectancy in the UK has fallen to its lowest level since records began, prompting discussion about whether the NHS model is failing patients.
- ONS data shows healthy life expectancy in the UK dropped to 60.7 years for men and 60.9 years for women in 2022-2024, a decline of 1.8 and 2.5 years respectively from 2019-2021.
- A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said the government is shifting focus to prevention, claiming GP patient satisfaction is up and waiting lists are down by 340,000.
- Patient Angie, who is moving to Bulgaria, said she has spent "a fortune on private healthcare" because the NHS left her "to her own devices" after diagnosis.
- Policy Exchange's Gareth Lyon argued the NHS's lack of competition is driving poor outcomes, while IPPR's Sebastian Rees said underinvestment and population differences are more significant factors.
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