Isabella Carter
The NHS Constitution outlines the principles and values that guide the NHS in all that it does. It is renewed every 10 years with the involvement of the public, patients and staff. The NHS Constitution reiterates that the NHS provides a comprehensive service, available to all, based on clinical need rather than ability to pay. The NHS Constitution also contains pledges that the NHS is committed to achieving, such as providing free access to services and ensuring patients receive care that meets their needs and reflects their preferences. The NHS values include putting patients first, improving health and well-being, striving for excellence and professionalism, respecting and valuing individuals, honesty and transparency, and maximising resources for the benefit of the whole community. These values are reflected in the day-to-day behaviours of NHS staff, who work hard to provide excellent patient care and are supported by initiatives to promote recognition and respect between colleagues.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Patients come first | The NHS puts patients at the heart of everything it does, working across organisational boundaries and in partnership with other organisations in the interest of patients, local communities and the wider population. |
| Comprehensive service | The NHS provides a comprehensive service, available to all. Access to NHS services is based on clinical need, not an individual’s ability to pay. |
| Excellence and professionalism | The NHS aspires to the highest standards of excellence and professionalism. |
| Improving lives | The NHS strives to improve health and wellbeing and people’s experiences of the NHS. |
| Everyone counts | The NHS maximises its resources for the benefit of the whole community, and makes sure nobody is excluded, discriminated against or left behind. |
| Value for money | The NHS provides best value for taxpayers’ money and makes the most effective, fair and sustainable use of finite resources. |
| Accountability | The NHS is accountable to the public, communities and patients that it serves. |
| Respect | The NHS treats staff and patients with respect and recognises that abusive and violent behaviour could result in refused access to NHS services. |
| Honesty and transparency | The NHS is honest and open about its point of view and what it can and cannot do. |
| Feedback | The NHS welcomes feedback from the public, patients and staff, using it to improve its services. |
| Supporting colleagues | The NHS introduced a values and behaviours programme during the COVID-19 pandemic to encourage supporting, recognition and respect between colleagues. |
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What You'll Learn
Patients come first
The NHS Constitution is founded on the principle that patients come first. This means that the NHS provides a comprehensive service, available to all, based on clinical need rather than ability to pay. The NHS works across organisational boundaries and in partnership with other organisations, always acting in the best interests of patients, local communities, and the wider population.
NHS staff are expected to demonstrate these values in their everyday work. They put the needs of patients before organisational boundaries to deliver excellent customer care. They speak up when things go wrong and encourage feedback from patients, families, carers, staff, and the public. This feedback is vital to improving the care provided and ensuring that patients are at the heart of everything the NHS does.
The NHS Constitution guarantees certain legal rights to patients, including the right to receive NHS services free of charge (except in limited circumstances) and the right to access NHS services without being refused on unreasonable grounds. Patients are also guaranteed the right to receive care and treatment that meets their needs and reflects their preferences. The NHS actively involves patients, their families, and carers in all decisions about their care and treatment, seeking to understand their priorities, needs, abilities, and limits.
The NHS is committed to improving health and wellbeing and enhancing people's experiences of the NHS. It strives for excellence and professionalism in clinical practice, service improvements, and innovation. The NHS recognises that everyone has a role in creating healthier communities and maximises its resources for the benefit of the whole community. It ensures that nobody is excluded, discriminated against, or left behind.
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Excellence and professionalism
NHS staff are expected to demonstrate excellence and professionalism in their daily work by putting patients' needs first and delivering excellent customer care. This involves respecting patients' aspirations, commitments, priorities, needs, abilities, and limits. Staff are encouraged to speak up when things go wrong and to be honest and open about their point of view and capabilities. They are also expected to encourage and act on feedback from patients, their families, carers, and the public to improve the care they provide.
The NHS recognises that excellence and professionalism are not limited to clinical practice but are also found in the everyday things that make people's lives better. This includes maximising resources for the benefit of the whole community and ensuring that nobody is excluded, discriminated against, or left behind. The NHS works across organisational boundaries and in partnership with other organisations to provide the best value for taxpayers' money and to make the most effective, fair, and sustainable use of finite resources.
The NHS also demonstrates excellence and professionalism in its commitment to transparency and accountability. The NHS Constitution sets out the legal rights of patients and the public, explaining what to do if they feel they have not received their rightful treatment. The Constitution also includes pledges that go above and beyond legal rights, representing the NHS's commitment to providing comprehensive, high-quality, and free services to all.
To support staff in embodying excellence and professionalism, the NHS has implemented initiatives such as the LoVE (Living Our Values Every day) cards, which encourage recognition and appreciation among colleagues. The NHS also prioritises staff wellbeing, offering support, compassion, and empathy to employees and actively promoting diversity and inclusion.
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Improving health and wellbeing
The NHS also recognises that individuals play a role in improving their health and wellbeing. It encourages people to take personal responsibility for their health and make contributions to their wellbeing and that of their families. This includes registering with a GP, providing accurate health information, keeping appointments, and treating NHS staff and other patients with respect.
To support health and wellbeing, the NHS actively encourages feedback from patients, staff, and the public. It uses this feedback to improve services and make positive changes. During the COVID-19 pandemic, for instance, the NHS introduced a values and behaviours programme to support staff, provide recognition, and show that their hard work was valued.
Additionally, the NHS works across organisational boundaries and in partnership with other organisations to improve health and wellbeing. It aims to provide the highest standards of excellence and professionalism, cherishing these qualities in clinical practice, service improvements, and innovation. This includes finding small ways to comfort patients and relieve their suffering.
Overall, the NHS Constitution's value of improving health and wellbeing is reflected in its commitment to inclusivity, accessibility, patient-centred care, and continuous improvement driven by feedback and partnerships.
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Working across organisational boundaries
The NHS Constitution outlines a set of values and behaviours that guide the organisation and its staff in delivering services to patients, local communities, and the wider population. One of the key principles in the Constitution is "working across organisational boundaries." This means that the NHS does not operate in isolation but actively collaborates with other organisations to achieve better outcomes for its service users.
The NHS works closely with a range of organisations, including local authorities, social services, charities, and voluntary sector groups, to name a few. For example, the NHS may collaborate with social services to ensure that patients have the necessary support in place when they return home from hospital, especially for vulnerable individuals or those with complex needs. Additionally, the NHS may partner with charities or community groups to promote health and wellbeing initiatives, improve mental health services, or address specific health challenges within a community.
By working across organisational boundaries, the NHS can also share resources, expertise, and best practices, leading to more efficient and effective service delivery. This collaboration can help to reduce duplication of efforts and ensure that services are well-coordinated and tailored to meet the specific needs of the local population. Furthermore, it enables the NHS to advocate for and influence policies that impact the health and wellbeing of the nation, such as social care policies or public health initiatives.
Ultimately, the NHS's commitment to working across organisational boundaries demonstrates its dedication to putting patients and communities first. By partnering with other organisations, the NHS can provide more holistic care, address health inequalities, and improve the overall health and wellbeing of the nation. This collaborative approach is a key strength of the NHS and is integral to achieving its mission of delivering high-quality, patient-centred care.
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Access to NHS services
The NHS Constitution outlines that the NHS provides a comprehensive service available to all, regardless of an individual's ability to pay. Patients have the right to access NHS services and cannot be refused access on unreasonable grounds. This means that access to NHS services is based on clinical need. Patients also have the right to receive care and treatment that meets their needs, reflects their preferences, and is coordinated around them.
The NHS works across organisational boundaries and in partnership with other organisations to benefit patients, local communities, and the wider population. It is committed to providing the best value for taxpayers' money and making the most effective, fair, and sustainable use of finite resources. This includes maximising resources for the benefit of the whole community and ensuring that nobody is excluded, discriminated against, or left behind.
To access NHS services, individuals are encouraged to register with a GP practice, which serves as the main point of access to NHS care. Patients are expected to treat NHS staff and other patients with respect and provide accurate information about their health and condition. Abusive and violent behaviour may result in refused access to NHS services.
The NHS actively encourages feedback from the public, patients, and staff to improve its services. It recognises that all stakeholders, including patients, communities, and professionals inside and outside the NHS, have a part to play in improving health and wellbeing. By valuing the contributions of all, the NHS strives to create a healthier community for everyone.
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