Half of Britons avoid calling GP when they are ill, survey finds

The findings underline the widespread pessimism about the state of the NHS. Photograph: Julian Claxton/Alamy

Almost half the public delay or avoid contacting their GP surgery when they are ill, mainly because they think they will struggle to get an appointment.

Overall 48% of people across the UK did not bother to ask their family doctor for help – either initially or at all – when they got sick over the past year, a survey found.