Securing the NHS today for generations to come

The NHS belongs to the people and the NHS Constitution became law in January 2010. It brings together for the first time in the history of the NHS in one place, what staff, patients and public can expect from the NHS. It explains that by working together we can make the very best of finite resources to improve our health and wellbeing through to the end of our lives. The Constitution reaffirms that the NHS belongs to us all and everyone has a role to play in its success.

Ten Year Vision

Lord Darzi’s review of the NHS – ‘High Quality Care For All’ provided a ten-year vision to provide the highest quality of care and service to patients in England. To implement this vision, the NHS needs to transform services not only to provide a high quality health service but also value for money for the taxpayer.

Sharing rights, pledges and responsibilities

As well as capturing the purpose, principles and values of the NHS, the Constitution brings together a number of rights, pledges and responsibilities for staff and patients alike.

New additions to Constitution 1st April 2010

These rights and responsibilities reflect what matters to staff, patients and public and are the results of extensive discussions and consultations with them. In response to this feedback, the final Constitution has been strengthened. It will help to improve patients’ experience of the NHS and as recently as 1st April 2010 has been revised to include the results of a recent Consultation. This approved the following new rights:

• to start non-urgent treatment within 18 weeks
• to see a specialist where cancer is suspected within two weeks of referral, or
• for the NHS to take all reasonable steps to offer a range of alternative providers where this is not possible

For NHS staff the Constitution means an NHS-wide commitment to equipping them with the tools, training and support they need to deliver high quality care.

All NHS bodies and private and third-sector providers supplying NHS services are now required by law to take account of the Constitution in their decisions and actions. The Government will have a legal duty to renew the Constitution every 10 years. No Government will be able to change the Constitution and therefore how the NHS works, without the full involvement of staff, patients and the public.

The ambition is that the Constitution will form the basis of a new relationship between staff and patients – a relationship based on partnership, respect and shared commitment where everyone knows what they can expect from the NHS and what is expected from them. The Constitution is not a lawyers’ charter.

The Constitution will help ensure that we are all empowered to take control and make choices over our care. Beyond this, the ambition is that it will lead to real behaviour change among us all with each and every one of us making the very best of the NHS.

Dedicated points of contact for NHS Brent & Brent Community:

1. General Enquiries: Wembley & Sudbury Switchboard

NHS Brent
Wembley Centre for Health & Care
116 Chaplin Road
Wembley HA0 4UZ
Switchboard/Reception 020 8795 6301

Brent Community Services
Sudbury Primary Care Centre
Vale Farm
Watford Road
Wembley
Middlesex, HA0 3HG.
Switchboard/Reception 020 3114 7121

2. Community Engagement Team

If you are interested in becoming more involved in NHS Brent from being informed about new developments, to being consulted about local services or becoming a member of a workshop contact the Community Engagement and Equalities Team by email: CEET@brentpct.nhs.uk or phone: 020 8795 6678.

3. Patient Advice & Liaison Services (PALS)

Contacting the PALS office on 020 8795 6771/6753 between 9am and 5pm weekdays or by leaving a message of the PALS 24 hour answer phone (call responded to within 2 working days). Fax: 020 8795 6770

In writing:

PALS Department
NHS Brent
Wembley Centre for Health & Care
116 Chaplin Road, HA0 4UZ
E-mail pals@brentpct.nhs.uk

Send us your feedback by email to: pals@brentpct.nhs.uk