That could be part of the reason, but the NHS has rapidly deteriorated over the course of the last 5ish years. It used to be pretty decent not so long ago, and our taxes didn’t exactly drop. So while most public healthcare systems get strained over time due to the aging population problem, it shouldn’t be this drastic.

The pandemic has surely strained it, but it doesn’t feel like it’s on the path to recovery, more like circling the drain.

The 2 more obvious things (to me) as far as the reasons go: an absolutely malicious government - who would sell us all for meat if they could - with little competition and brexit (courtesy of said government)