NHS Improvements are Government PR Stunt' 01/09/00 Following the Government's recent announcements on proposed improvements to the NHS, more than six out of 10 Britons (according to recent research from Taylor Nelson Sofres) believe that the proposals are simply 'an attempt to win votes in anticipation of a General Election next year' rather than a genuine attempt to commit to long-term reform. Looking at specific proposals, more than three quarters (77%) of Britons believe that the Government is unlikely to fulfil its prediction that there will be 7,500 extra consultants by 2004. In addition, more than seven out of 10 (72%) think it unlikely that there will be 7,000 extra hospital beds by 2004, and two-thirds (67%) think it unlikely that all patients will have a maximum wait of 24 hours to see their GP, within five years. Other findings include: Fewer than three out of 10 Britons (26%) consider it likely that waiting times for operations will be cut to six months, within the next five years. Just under three out of 10 Britons (29%) think it is likely there will be 10,000 extra nurses by 2004. However, a significantly higher proportion (44%) believes it likely that an improvement in children's diets will be made by making fruit freely available (to 4-6 year olds) in schools by 2004. According to Sue Homeyard at Taylor Nelson Sofres, "Our research confirms that the British public is sceptical, both of the motivation behind the Government's proposals to reform the NHS, as well as its ability to meet these targets. It remains to be seen whether or not such reforms will be deliverable, particularly within a relatively short timescale." TNS PhoneBus conducted the research between 8 and 10 August 2000, amongst a representative sample of 1,016 adults (aged 16 plus) in Great Britain.