Your views invited on new rights for patients
A national consultation is underway on the introduction of new patient rights into the NHS Constitution. The key proposals – to begin from April 2010 - are new entitlements around minimum waiting times to start consultant-led treatment within 18 weeks of referral by a GP, or to be seen by a cancer specialist within two weeks of a GP referral. The consultation also proposes health checks for people aged 40 to 70 to assess their risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and kidney disease. There’s more information and a link to an online response form here. The consultation closes on 5 February 2010.
The Health Act 2009, which received Royal Assent in November, contains the legislation for the NHS Constitution. This sets out the principles and values that guide how the NHS should act and make decisions. It also explains the rights and responsibilities of staff, patients and the public, and pledges to them. The act places a duty on all NHS organisations, private sector and third sector providers of NHS services to have regard to the NHS Constitution.
Information about the constitution can be found on the Department of Health’s website here. |
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