About the Constitution
It sets out rights to which patients, public and staff are entitled, and pledges which the NHS is committed to achieve, together with responsibilities that the public, patients and staff owe to one another to ensure that the NHS operates fairly and effectively.
All NHS bodies, private and third sector providers supplying NHS services will be required by law to take account of the Constitution in their decisions and actions.
The Handbook to the Constitution sets out current guidance on the rights, pledges, duties, and responsibilities. It provides some more detailed information on how the pledges will be interpreted, for example, how the Knowledge and Skills framework will support the pledges on training and development.
The Constitution will be renewed every 10 years, with the involvement of the public, patients and staff, the Handbook will be renewed at least every three years. Requirements for renewal will be made legally binding.
The NHS Constitution includes the following sections:
- 1 Principles that guide the NHS
- 2a Patients and the public - your rights and NHS pledges to you
- 2b Patients and the public - your responsibilities
- 3a Staff- your rights and NHS pledges to you
- 3b Staff -your responsibilities
- NHS Values
To see the full NHS Constitution document and the Handbook visit the Department of Health website.