The government is consulting on proposals to extend patient rights under the NHS Constitution.
The consultation proposes new patient rights to:
-
treatment within a maximum of 18 weeks from a GP referral and to be seen by a cancer specialist within two weeks from a GP referral, or where this is not possible, for the NHS to take reasonable steps to offer a range of alternative providers, and
-
NHS health checks for those aged 40 to 74 to assess their risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease.
It also welcomes views on areas where the government believes that they will soon be able to offer rights, such as dentistry, evening and weekend access to GPs, personal health budgets, the ability to choose to die at home and rapid access to diagnostic tests.
About the NHS Constitution
The Health Act 2009, which received royal assent in November 2009, places a legal duty on the NHS and its providers to have regard to the NHS Constitution, which will safeguard the principles and values of the NHS for the future, and sets out the rights and responsibilities of patients and staff.
Have your say
For more information and to have your say, see NHS Constitution: a consultation on new patient rights.
Closing date
The consultation closes on 5 February 2010.
