It’s your NHS

The Department of Health is consulting on some additional patient rights to be included in the NHS Constitution.  In January this year the Government published the first ever NHS Constitution, which set out what people are entitled to expect from their NHS, including the quality of care, access to nationally approved treatments and drugs, respect, confidentiality, and choice.  The proposed new patient rights include:

- Guaranteed treatment within 18 weeks of being referred by their GP, and to be seen by a cancer specialist within 2 weeks from a GP referral.

- If the NHS is unable to provide care quickly enough, it will have to take all reasonable steps to provide alternatives, which could include private treatment

- The opportunity for anyone aged 40 – 74 the right to have an NHS Health Check every five years to assess their risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease.

NHS Herefordshire is leading the consultation process locally.  There are three ways you can get involved:

- We’re holding two informal “drop-in” sessions at our offices in Bath Street, Hereford, HR1 2HQ.  If you have a few minutes to spare, come along and find out more, then pass on your views and comments.  Sessions are being held on Thursday, 7th January between 10 – 12am and on Thursday, 14th January between 2 – 4pm.

- We’re running a live e-consultation on our website.  Go to www.herefordshire.nhs.uk and click on the “Have your Say” icon.  You’ll find all the information you need under the “current consultations” section.

- We’ll be talking to user groups and networks across the county at their regular scheduled meetings.  If you’re involved with a local group, you might find it’s up for discussion at your next meeting, but if not and you would like someone to come along and talk to you, please contact Helen Lee in the Involving People Team on 01432 383568, or via email Helen.Lee@herefordpct.nhs.uk   

Euan McPherson from the Customer Experience Team at NHS Herefordshire said, “These new patient rights will ensure that everyone, regardless of where they live or who they are, are guaranteed the same level of care.  Your views really do matter, but the consultation closes on 21st January 2010, so there’s only a short time to have your say.  Remember, it’s your NHS.”

The NHS Constitution describes the values and enduring principles of the NHS, but it also needs to reflect what matters and is relevant to the needs of patients, the public and staff in the 21st century.  It needs to reflect developments in services, but any changes to it must be considered carefully.   To find out more about the NHS Constitution, visit www.constitution.nhs.uk