Poll: Health should be top priority

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

More than a third of people (37%) said health was the most important area, followed by law and order (23%), education (20%), the environment (10%) and defence (2%).

Almost half of those questioned (46%) also believe people should pay higher taxes to fund the health service.

Of those, 17% think everyone should pay more, 18% think it should fall to higher-rate tax payers and 11% want those earning more than £100,000 a year to foot the bill.

The survey of more than 2,000 people was released to mark the start of the Royal College of Nursing's (RCN) annual conference in Harrogate.

More than nine out of 10 (93%) people questioned said they valued the NHS as a free public service.

Most said the Government had been right to increase NHS spending over the last 10 years, with 59% saying they wanted to see continued higher levels of investment and 30% saying they wanted funding maintained at current levels.

The big investment boost the NHS has enjoyed is set to fall back after 2008. But 72% of people believe a drop in funding now would lead to increased waiting times and patients being denied access to services.

A total of 71% believed patients would end up being charged for some of the NHS services they currently enjoy for free.

General Secretary of the RCN, Dr Peter Carter, said of the poll: "The message from voters to those who aspire to govern is crystal clear - if you want us to support you, you must support the NHS."