Responsibilities

The NHS Constitution sets out expectations of how patients, the public and staff can help the NHS work effectively and ensure finite resources are used fairly.

The NHS Constitution contains nine responsbilities for patients and the public.

1. You should recognise that you can make a significant contribution to your own, and your family's, good health and well-being, and take some personal responsibility for it

2. You should register with a GP practice - the main point of access to NHS care

3. You should treat NHS staff and other patients with respect and recognise that causing a nuisance or disturbance on NHS premises could result in prosecution

4. You should provide accurate information about your health, condition and status

5. You should keep appointments, or cancel within reasonable time. Receiving treatment within the maximum waiting times may be compromised unless you do

6. You should follow the course of treatment which you have agreed, and talk to your clinician if you find this difficult

7. You should participated in important public health programmes such as vaccination

8. You should ensure that those closest to you are aware of your wishes about organ donation

9. You should give feedback - both positive and negative - about the treatment and care you have received, including any adverse reactions you may have had

What these responsbilities mean in practice

Related downloads

| NHS Constitution published 2010.pdf (0.11 MB)

| Handbook to the NHS Constitution published 2010.pdf (1.17 MB)