Public concerns over the NHS: what search data reveal

A look into Google search trends

According to Google, interest in NHS access and appointment availability is rising among the UK public. Google searches aren’t just digital noise – they can be a barometer of public mood and reveal what people think or fear before they voice it. Google search volumes for ‘GP appointment’, ‘A&E waiting times’ and ‘NHS waiting list’ have been increasing steadily over the past 5 years.  

These findings echo results from our own public polling work with Ipsos. Google searches for GP appointment are the highest and have seen the largest increase over the past year. Our latest survey found that making it easier to get appointments at GP practices is the public’s top priority for the NHS. This has been the case for the past three waves, mirroring increases seen in search volumes. Our research highlighted considerable challenges accessing general practice. Almost half (48%) of respondents said they delayed or didn’t contact a GP about a health concern, often linked to perceived problems with getting an appointment.  

Search interest in A&E waiting times has been increasing at the same time as public concern about long waits in A&E has been growing. Our latest survey shows improving A&E waiting times tied with making it easier to get GP appointments as the public’s top priority, a major change over the past 18 months. Meanwhile the number of patients waiting for 12 hours or longer in A&E reached a new record high in 2025. Search interest in A&E waiting times shows clear spikes during winter months when the NHS comes under additional pressure due to colder weather and flu waves.  

Search interest in waiting lists has grown but is lower than for GP appointments and A&E waits, the same as our survey findings on waiting times for routine hospital care. 

The government has set ambitious targets for reducing waiting lists and improving A&E access. While making progress on waiting times for routine care, government missed several other interim targets set for March 2026. Reports suggest the government is seeking to make measurable improvements in patients' experience of making GP appointments. 

But setting targets isn’t enough. The government needs to be able to demonstrate to the public that its efforts are resulting in meaningful progress on improving care. In the meantime, we’ll likely see interest in access and availability continue to grow among the public.