The Nhs Constitution: Understanding Our Healthcare Rights

what is the purpose of the nhs constitution

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. The Constitution also outlines the responsibilities that the public, patients, and staff owe to one another to ensure that the NHS operates fairly and effectively. It is a living document that is renewed every 10 years with the involvement of the public, patients, and staff. The NHS Constitution is underpinned by core values such as compassion, improving lives, and ensuring that everyone counts. These values guide the NHS in its commitment to providing the best value for taxpayers' money and maximizing resources for the benefit of the whole community. The Constitution also emphasizes the importance of working together with other organizations to improve health and wellbeing and deliver high-quality services.

Characteristics Values
Sets out rights to which patients, public and staff are entitled Patients come first; compassion is central to the care provided; improving lives; everyone counts
Sets out pledges that the NHS is committed to achieving 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; the NHS aspires to the highest standards of excellence and professionalism
Sets out responsibilities which the public, patients and staff owe to one another to ensure that the NHS operates fairly and effectively The NHS works across organisational boundaries and in partnership with other organisations in the interest of patients, local communities and the wider population; the NHS is committed to providing best value for taxpayers’ money and the most effective, fair and sustainable use of finite resources; the NHS is accountable to the public, communities and patients that it serves
Sets out a commitment for the government to produce an up-to-date statement of NHS accountability to explain how decision-making works in the NHS The NHS is a national service funded through national taxation, and it is the government that sets the framework for the NHS and is accountable to Parliament for its operation
Sets out how patients can give feedback or make a complaint about NHS care or treatment N/A

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The NHS Constitution establishes the principles and values of the NHS in England

The NHS Constitution is a living document that will be renewed every ten years with the involvement of the public, patients, and staff. This regular renewal ensures that the principles, values, rights, pledges, duties, and responsibilities outlined in the Constitution remain relevant and are subject to ongoing review and commitment. Any proposed alterations to the NHS Constitution must be preceded by a full and transparent debate involving the public, patients, and staff.

The NHS Constitution outlines seven key principles that guide the organisation in all its endeavours. These principles are underpinned by core NHS values derived from extensive discussions with staff, patients, and the public. The NHS is committed to providing a comprehensive service available to all, regardless of their ability to pay. It strives for excellence and professionalism and puts patients at the heart of everything it does.

The NHS Constitution also emphasises the importance of compassion in healthcare. This includes responding with humanity and kindness to each person's pain, distress, anxiety, or need. The NHS values of care, compassion, competence, communication, courage, and commitment are essential to delivering high-quality care. Effective communication is central to successful caring relationships and team collaboration. Courage enables NHS staff to speak up when they have concerns and embrace new ways of working.

The NHS Constitution also outlines the NHS's commitment to working in partnership with other organisations for the benefit of patients, local communities, and the wider population. The NHS strives to make the most effective, fair, and sustainable use of finite resources, ensuring that public funds are devoted solely to improving health and wellbeing.

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It sets out the rights, pledges, duties and responsibilities to which patients, the public and staff are entitled

The NHS Constitution establishes the principles and values of the NHS in England. It sets out the rights, pledges, duties, and responsibilities to which patients, the public, and staff are entitled. The rights cover how patients access health services, the quality of care they will receive, the treatments and programmes available to them, confidentiality, information, and their right to complain if things go wrong. In return, the NHS expects patients to take responsibility for their own health and to use the NHS with respect.

The NHS Constitution also contains pledges that the NHS is committed to achieving. These pledges go above and beyond legal rights and represent a commitment by the NHS to provide comprehensive, high-quality services. The NHS is committed to working jointly with other organisations in the interest of 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 benefit the people that the NHS serves.

The NHS Constitution outlines the responsibilities that the public, patients, and staff owe to one another to ensure that the NHS operates fairly and effectively. For example, staff are expected to demonstrate values such as working together for patients, putting patients first, compassion, improving lives, and ensuring that everyone counts. These values are essential to providing high-quality care and improving the health of the whole community.

The Constitution will be renewed every 10 years with the involvement of the public, patients, and staff. This guarantees that the principles, values, rights, pledges, duties, and responsibilities set out in the Constitution are regularly reviewed and recommitted to. Any proposed alterations to these aspects of the NHS will require a full and transparent debate with the public, patients, and staff.

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The NHS works in partnership with other organisations in the interest of patients, local communities and the wider population

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 Constitution is a living document that is renewed every ten years with the involvement of the public, patients, and staff. This regular renewal guarantees that the principles, values, rights, pledges, duties, and responsibilities outlined in the Constitution are subject to re-evaluation and discussion.

The NHS is committed to working in partnership with other organisations, including local authority services, other public sector organisations, and private and voluntary sector organisations. This collaborative approach is designed to benefit patients, local communities, and the wider population by improving health and wellbeing. The NHS strives to make the most effective, fair, and sustainable use of finite resources, ensuring that public funds for healthcare are devoted solely to the benefit of those it serves.

The NHS recognises that some individuals require more assistance and that difficult decisions must be made to allocate resources equitably. They strive to maximise their resources for the benefit of the whole community, ensuring that no one is excluded, discriminated against, or left behind. This commitment to inclusivity and equality is a cornerstone of the NHS's values.

The NHS also prioritises compassion in the care they provide, responding with humanity and kindness to each person's pain, distress, anxiety, or need. This commitment to compassion is reflected in the 6Cs initiative: Care, Compassion, Competence, Communication, Courage, and Commitment. These values guide NHS staff in delivering high-quality care that meets the needs of individuals and improves the health of the entire community.

The NHS's partnership with other organisations extends beyond healthcare providers. They work across organisational boundaries to collaborate with a diverse range of sectors, recognising that health is influenced by a multitude of factors beyond medical care. By working together with local authorities and community organisations, the NHS can address social determinants of health and create a holistic support system for patients and local communities.

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The NHS is committed to providing the most effective, fair and sustainable use of finite resources

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, and 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 effectively and fairly. The NHS Constitution is a living document that is renewed every ten years with the involvement of the public, patients, and staff. It is accompanied by the Handbook to the NHS Constitution, which provides detailed guidance on the rights, pledges, duties, and responsibilities established by the Constitution and is renewed at least every three years.

One of the key principles of the NHS Constitution is the commitment to providing the most effective, fair, and sustainable use of finite resources. This means that the NHS strives to maximise its resources for the benefit of the entire community, ensuring that no one is excluded, discriminated against, or left behind. It recognises that some individuals require more assistance and that difficult decisions must be made to ensure that resources are used efficiently and effectively. This principle is reflected in the NHS's commitment to providing the best value for taxpayers' money and ensuring that public funds for healthcare are devoted solely to the benefit of the people it serves.

The NHS works across organisational boundaries and in partnership with other organisations, including local authorities, the private sector, and voluntary sector organisations, to deliver improvements in health and wellbeing. These collaborations enable the NHS to provide a comprehensive service that meets the needs of patients, local communities, and the wider population. The NHS aspires to the highest standards of excellence and professionalism, putting patients at the heart of everything it does.

The NHS Constitution also emphasises the importance of compassion in healthcare. This is reflected in the 6Cs initiative, which stands for Care, Compassion, Competence, Communication, Courage, and Commitment. By embodying these values, NHS staff strive to provide high-quality care that meets the individual needs of each patient and improves the health of the whole community. They recognise that communication is central to successful caring relationships and effective teamwork, and courage enables them to speak up for their patients and embrace new ways of working.

Overall, the NHS Constitution provides a framework for the NHS to deliver on its commitment to providing the most effective, fair, and sustainable use of finite resources. It ensures that the NHS operates with transparency and accountability, with a patient-centred approach, working collaboratively with other organisations to maximise the impact of its resources for the benefit of all.

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The NHS Constitution will be renewed every 10 years, with the involvement of 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, along with 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 Constitution is a living document that is subject to regular renewal to ensure that it remains relevant and reflective of the values and principles of the NHS.

As per the given instruction, the NHS Constitution will be renewed every 10 years with the involvement of the public, patients, and staff. This involvement is crucial to ensure that the Constitution reflects the needs and values of all stakeholders. By engaging with the public, patients, and staff, the NHS can gather valuable insights, feedback, and suggestions to improve the document. This process guarantees that the Constitution remains a living, evolving document that adapts to the changing needs and expectations of those it serves.

The renewal process ensures that the NHS Constitution is subject to regular review and re-commitment. It provides an opportunity to reassess and reaffirm the principles, values, rights, pledges, duties, and responsibilities outlined in the document. Any proposed alterations to these fundamental aspects of the Constitution must be done transparently and with the full engagement of the public, patients, and staff. This ensures that any changes are made with the best interests of all stakeholders in mind and with their active participation.

The involvement of patients and the public in the renewal process is essential to uphold the NHS's commitment to patient-centred care. By seeking their input, the NHS demonstrates its dedication to putting patients at the heart of everything it does. Additionally, the engagement of NHS staff is vital as they are the ones directly responsible for upholding the values and principles of the Constitution in their daily work. Their involvement ensures that the renewed Constitution remains practical, feasible, and reflective of the realities of healthcare delivery.

The 10-year renewal cycle allows the NHS Constitution to remain dynamic and responsive to the evolving healthcare landscape. It ensures that the document can adapt to changes in medical practices, technologies, and societal needs. By regularly reviewing and renewing the Constitution, the NHS can stay true to its core values while also staying agile and responsive to the diverse and dynamic needs of the communities it serves. This process reinforces the NHS's commitment to continuous improvement and its dedication to providing the best possible care to patients and the public.

Frequently asked questions

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.

The NHS Constitution is founded on six core values: care, compassion, competence, communication, courage and commitment. These values are essential to providing high-quality care and ensuring that the NHS operates fairly and effectively.

The NHS Constitution will be renewed every 10 years, with the involvement of the public, patients and staff. The accompanying Handbook to the NHS Constitution is renewed at least every 3 years, providing current guidance on the rights, pledges, duties and responsibilities established by the Constitution.

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