A POLL exposing deep fears for the NHS has sparked fresh calls for the government to end the “wasteful experiment” of privatisation.

A survey by the Health Foundation has indicated that the government’s NHS policy is failing to align with the public’s priorities.

Labour made eliminating hospital backlogs central to its plan for the service, but the poll suggests that cutting wait times for routine treatment only ranks fifth for the public in importance.

Instead, easier access to GP appointments, improvements to A&E waiting times and reductions to staff leaving the health service were ranked as key priorities.

Worryingly, 26 per cent said that they disagreed that the health service would provide a comprehensive service available to everyone in five years’ time, while 21 per cent did not believe that it would remain free at the point of delivery.

Co-chair of Keep Our NHS Public Dr Tony O’Sullivan said: “This poll shows the public’s fears are well founded: people are worried the NHS won’t be there for them in the future, free and accessible to all.

“The government must listen to what patients are actually calling for: a fully funded, publicly provided NHS that protects its founding principles and guarantees care for generations to come.

“Instead of chasing targets that grab headlines but don’t address the root causes, ministers must commit to properly funding and staffing the NHS and ending the wasteful experiment of privatisation.”

The Department of Health and Social Care is “listening to people’s priorities, putting GPs at the heart of our shift to neighbourhood health services,” a spokesperson said.

“We’ve recruited more than 2,000 extra GPs in the past year, delivered a record £1 billion boost and funded vital upgrades to surgeries, as well as cutting red tape so doctors can spend more time caring for patients.”