BSR Public Affairs

The National Health Service Constitution

The NHS Constitution will establish the principles and values of the NHS in England.  The draft consultation sets out commitments to patients, public and staff in the form of rights, pledges and responsibilities.

All NHS bodies, private and third sector providers supplying NHS services will be required by law to take account of the Constitution in their decisions and actions.  The Constitution will be renewed every ten years.

Click here to view the seven key principles that will guide the NHS

For further information on the constitution, including rights, pledges and how to respond to the consultation visit www.dh.gov.uk/consultations

NHS Next Stage Review, Final Report (including the NHS Constitution)

Launched 30th June 2008

The report’s key theme is turning the NHS into a system of care provision that is clinically led, patient-centred, and locally determined.  It identified three key areas for change: improving the quality and the safety of care, and the placement of choice as a major determinant of treatment options.  To ensure that patient choice is given due account in service provision, it is given formal recognition in the NHS constitution.

Click here to view the Key Points

For a full copy of the document visit: www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_085825

Integrated Care

The BSR has been working with the NHS Alliance, and colleagues from other organisations, on integrated care.    The NHS Alliance is a collaboration of clinicians, managers and board members.  It is an independent body that represents NHS primary care.

The document “Integrated Healthcare: from aspiration to implementation” sets out a vision of integrated care, as well as responding to the NHS Next Stage Review.  It compliments the work that is also being undertaken by the Royal College of Physicians with their “Teams without Walls” initative.

Click here to view a full copy of the document

If you have any other lobbying or campaigning issues to bring to BSR’s attention please contact Katy Lewis, Policy Officer at klewis@rheumatology.org.uk.