Your rights whilst in our care

The NHS Constitution

The NHS belongs to the people. It is there to improve our health and wellbeing, supporting us to keep mentally and physically well, to get better when we are ill and, when we cannot fully recover, to stay as well as we can to the end of our lives. It works at the limits of science – bringing the highest levels of human knowledge and skill to save lives and improve health. It touches our lives at times of basic human need, when care and compassion are what matter most.

The NHS is founded on a common set of principles and values that bind together the communities and people it serves – patients and public – and the staff who work for it.

Our pledge to you under The Consitution

Everyone who uses the NHS should understand what legal rights they have. The Constitution also contains pledges that the NHS is committed to achieve. Pledges go above and beyond legal rights. Read more on your rights and the NHS pledges to you.

Your responsibilities to support the NHS

There are things that we can all do for ourselves and for one another to help it work effectively, and to ensure resources are used responsibly. You can read more here.