Jonah Patel
The NHS Constitution establishes the key principles that guide the NHS in all that it does. These principles are underpinned by core NHS values derived from extensive discussions with staff, patients and the public. The NHS belongs to the people and is founded on a common set of principles and values that bind together the communities and people it serves. The seven key principles are as follows:
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| NHS services are available to all, irrespective of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment status, religion or belief | Access to NHS services is based on clinical need, not an individual’s ability to pay |
| NHS services are free of charge, except in limited circumstances sanctioned by Parliament | NHS aspires to the highest standards of excellence and professionalism |
| NHS works across organisational boundaries and in partnership with other organisations in the interest of patients, local communities and the wider population | NHS is committed to providing the most effective, fair and sustainable use of finite resources |
| NHS aspires to put patients at the heart of everything it does | NHS is accountable to the public, communities, and patients that it serves |
| NHS is founded on a common set of principles and values that bind together the communities and people it serves | NHS is committed to achieving the rights, pledges, duties, and responsibilities established by the Constitution |
| NHS is committed to improving health and wellbeing | NHS is committed to providing best value for taxpayers' money |
| NHS strives to work jointly with other local authority services, other public sector organisations, and a wide range of private and voluntary sector organisations | NHS is subject to regular review and re-commitment to its principles and values |
Explore related products
$49.37 $59.95
What You'll Learn
- The NHS is available to all, irrespective of personal characteristics
- Access to NHS services is based on clinical need
- NHS services are free of charge, except in limited circumstances
- The NHS works across organisational boundaries
- NHS decisions are transparent and clear to the public, patients and staff
The NHS is available to all, irrespective of personal characteristics
The NHS is founded on a set of principles and values that unite the communities and people it serves, including patients, the public, and its staff. One of its fundamental principles is that the NHS is available to all, regardless of personal characteristics. This means that the NHS provides a comprehensive service accessible to everyone, irrespective of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment status, religion, or belief. It upholds the human rights of each individual and promotes equality through its services.
The NHS's availability to all is reflected in its commitment to providing access based on clinical need rather than an individual's ability to pay. NHS services are free of charge, except in limited circumstances sanctioned by Parliament. This principle ensures that financial status is not a barrier to receiving necessary healthcare.
Moreover, the NHS strives to improve the health and well-being of all individuals, supporting them in maintaining their mental and physical health and providing care when they cannot fully recover to help them stay as well as possible. It works across organisational boundaries and in partnership with other organisations to benefit patients, local communities, and the wider population.
The NHS also recognises its wider social duty to promote equality and address health disparities within society. It pays particular attention to groups or sections of society where improvements in health and life expectancy lag behind the rest of the population. By doing so, the NHS aims to reduce inequalities and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to achieve their best possible health outcomes.
The NHS's commitment to inclusivity and non-discrimination is a cornerstone of its values, ensuring that nobody is excluded or left behind. It works to maximise its resources for the benefit of the entire community and to provide the most effective, fair, and sustainable use of finite resources. This principle guides the NHS in its mission to deliver high-quality care and improve the health and well-being of all, regardless of their personal characteristics.
Trump's Foreign Emoluments: Constitutional Violation?
You may want to see also
Access to NHS services is based on clinical need
The NHS Constitution establishes the principles and values of the NHS in England. It sets out the rights of patients, the public, and staff, and pledges that the NHS is committed to achieving. One of the seven key principles of the NHS Constitution is that access to NHS services is based on clinical need, not an individual's ability to pay. This means that NHS services are provided free of charge, except in limited circumstances sanctioned by Parliament.
The NHS aspires to put patients at the heart of everything it does and to provide a comprehensive service available to all. It works across organisational boundaries and in partnership with other organisations to improve health and wellbeing and provide the best value for taxpayers' money. The NHS is committed to making the most effective, fair, and sustainable use of finite resources.
The Constitution guarantees that everyone who uses the NHS understands their legal rights. These rights include the right to access NHS services and not be refused on unreasonable grounds. Patients will be involved in and consulted on all decisions about their care and treatment, reflecting their needs and preferences. The NHS is committed to providing high-quality care that is safe and effective, focusing on patient experience and respecting their human rights.
The NHS Constitution is a living document that will be renewed every ten years with the involvement of the public, patients, and staff. It ensures that the principles and values that guide the NHS are regularly reviewed and recommitted to. Any proposed alterations to the Constitution must be subject to a full and transparent debate with the public, patients, and staff. This process guarantees that the NHS remains accountable to the people it serves and that its operations are fair and effective.
The Living Constitution: Adapting to Current Events
You may want to see also
NHS services are free of charge, except in limited circumstances
The NHS Constitution establishes the principles and values of the NHS in England. It sets out the rights of patients, the public, and staff, as well as the pledges and duties that the NHS is committed to achieving. One of the key principles of the NHS Constitution is that NHS services are free of charge, except in limited circumstances sanctioned by Parliament.
This principle ensures that everyone has equal access to healthcare regardless of their financial situation. It is based on the belief that healthcare is a fundamental human right and that no one should be denied treatment because of their inability to pay. The NHS is funded through national taxation, and it is the government that sets the framework for the NHS and is accountable to Parliament for its operation.
The NHS Constitution guarantees that access to NHS services is based on clinical need and not an individual's ability to pay. This means that everyone who needs medical attention can receive it without worrying about the cost. The NHS aspires to the highest standards of excellence and professionalism, providing high-quality care that is safe, effective, and focused on patient experience.
However, it is important to note that the principle of free NHS services does have some exceptions. There are limited circumstances in which the NHS may charge for certain services. These exceptions are sanctioned by Parliament and are typically outlined in the NHS Constitution or related guidance. Examples of when the NHS may charge for services include certain dental treatments, optical services, and prescription charges.
Overall, the principle of free NHS services is a fundamental aspect of the NHS Constitution, ensuring that healthcare is accessible to all regardless of financial means. The NHS's commitment to providing free healthcare reflects its core values of fairness, equality, and improving the health and wellbeing of the population.
Recent Reforms: A New House of Commons?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$28.99 $37.99
The NHS works across organisational boundaries
The NHS is a complex, integrated system of multiple organisations and services, bound together by the principles and values reflected in the NHS Constitution. It is committed to working across organisational boundaries and in partnership with other organisations in the interest of patients, local communities, and the wider population. This means that the NHS works with other local authority services, other public sector organisations, and a wide range of private and voluntary sector organisations to provide and deliver improvements in health and wellbeing.
The NHS Constitution establishes the principles and values of the NHS in England. It is accompanied by the Handbook to the NHS Constitution, which sets out current guidance on the rights, pledges, duties, and responsibilities established by the Constitution. These requirements for renewal are legally binding, guaranteeing that the principles and values that underpin the NHS are subject to regular review and re-commitment.
The NHS in England is not a single organisation with a central recruiting team. Instead, it is made up of hundreds of different organisations of varying sizes, at central, national, regional, and local levels, with different roles and responsibilities. Each individual organisation has its own recruitment team and list of vacancies. The structure of these NHS organisations varies slightly between the four UK nations. In England, the organisations making up the NHS include national bodies that oversee and regulate NHS services, Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) that plan and commission care for local populations, primary care organisations, acute (hospital) trusts, and mental health trusts.
The NHS aspires to put patients at the heart of everything it does. Patients and their families and carers, where appropriate, will be involved in and consulted on all decisions about their care and treatment. The NHS is committed to providing the best value for taxpayers' money and the most effective, fair, and sustainable use of finite resources. Public funds for healthcare will be devoted solely to the benefit of the people that the NHS serves.
The Post Office: A Constitutional Right?
You may want to see also
NHS decisions are transparent and clear to the public, patients and staff
The NHS Constitution establishes the principles and values of the NHS in England. It sets out the rights to which patients, the public, and staff are entitled, as well as the pledges that the NHS is committed to achieving. It also outlines the responsibilities that the public, patients, and staff owe to one another to ensure that the NHS operates fairly and effectively. The NHS belongs to the people and is founded on a common set of principles and values that unite the communities and people it serves—patients, the public, and staff.
The NHS is committed to transparency and accountability in its decision-making processes. It strives to ensure that its decisions are transparent and clear to the public, patients, and staff. This includes providing clear and up-to-date information on its operations and any changes made to its principles or values. The NHS also involves the public, patients, and staff in the renewal of its Constitution, which occurs once every ten years. This participation guarantees that the NHS's principles and values are regularly reviewed and updated.
The NHS recognises that most decisions, particularly those regarding individual treatment and the detailed organisation of services, are made by local NHS organisations and patients with their clinicians. As such, the NHS promotes a system of responsibility and accountability where decisions are transparent and easily understandable by all stakeholders. This transparency extends to the legal rights of patients, which are summarised in the Constitution and detailed in the Handbook to the NHS Constitution. This handbook is updated at least every three years and outlines the steps to take if individuals feel their rights have been violated.
The NHS also works across organisational boundaries and in partnership with other organisations to benefit patients, local communities, and the wider population. It strives to provide the most effective, fair, and sustainable use of finite resources, ensuring that public funds for healthcare are devoted solely to improving the health and wellbeing of those it serves. The NHS is committed to maximising its resources for the benefit of the entire community, ensuring that no one is excluded, discriminated against, or left behind.
The Progressive Constitution: Parenti's Summary
You may want to see also
