NHS Consitution
For the first time in the history of the NHS, the constitution, published in January 2009, brings together in one place details of what staff, patients and the public can expect from the National Health Service.
It explains that by working together we can make the best of NHS money to improve our health and wellbeing, to maintain mental and physical wellbeing, to get better when we're ill, and to stay as well as we can during terminal illness. The constitution reaffirms that everyone has a role to play in the success of the NHS.
As well as stating the purpose, principles and values of the NHS, the constitution includes a number of rights, pledges and responsibilities for staff and patients. These rights and responsibilities are the result of extensive discussions and consultations with staff, patients and public, and it reflects what matters to them.
Subject to parliamentary approval, 2gether NHS Foundation Trust and all other NHS bodies, private and third-sector providers that supply NHS services in England will be required by law to consider the constitution when making decisions and taking action. The government will have a legal duty to renew the constitution every 10 years. No government will be able to change the constitution without the full involvement of staff, patients and the public.
- Click here for the Constitution Handbook
- Click here for the statement of NHS accountability
- Click here to watch the introductory film
Staff
It is the commitment, professionalism and dedication of staff working for the benefit of the people the NHS serves which really make the difference. High quality care requires high quality workplaces, with commissioners and providers aiming to be employers of choice.
Patients and Public
Everyone who uses the NHS should understand what legal rights they have. For this reason, important legal rights are summarised in this Constitution and explained in more detail in the Handbook to the NHS Constitution, which also explains what you can do if you think you have not received what is rightfully yours. This summary does not alter the content of your legal rights.
The Constitution also contains pledges that the NHS is committed to achieve. Pledges go above and beyond legal rights. This means that pledges are not legally binding but represent a commitment by the NHS to provide high quality services.
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