In this section
NHS Constitution
The NHS Constitution brings together for the first time in one place, what staff, patients and public can expect from the NHS.
It explains that by working together we can make the very best of finite resources to improve our health and wellbeing, to keep mentally and physically well, to get better when we are ill and when we cannot recover to stay as well as we can to the end of our lives.
The constitution outlines patients' rights around access to health services; quality of care and environment; nationally approved treatments, drugs and programmes; respect, consent and confidentiality; involvement in your healthcare and in the NHS; informed choice; and complaint and redress.
It also contains pledges that the NHS is committed to achieve. Pledges go above and beyond legal rights. This means that pledges are not legally binding but represent a commitment by the NHS to provide high quality services.
The constitution also outlines the things that patients and the public can do to help the NHS work more effectively and to ensure that resources are used responsibly, for example, making a contribution to their own health and well-being, treating NHS staff and other patients with respect, and keeping appointments, or cancelling within reasonable time.
Our constitution
The aim of our Constitution is to safeguard the enduring principles and values of the NHS. Our Constitution also sets out clear expectations about the behaviours of both staff and patients. It is intended to empower the public, patients and staff by setting out existing legal rights and pledges in one place and in clear and simple language.
By knowing and exercising their rights, the public, patients (their carers and families) and staff can help the NHS improve the care it provides.
Bribery Act 2010
The Trust is committed to eliminating all level of fraud and corruption within the Trust and the NHS.
It is an offence under the Bribery Act 2010 for anyone to receive, be offered or to offer any financial or other advantage to another person in order to induce a person to perform improperly or reward any person for improper performance of a function or activity. The Trust is committed to carry out business fairly, honestly and openly and is committed to a zero tolerance of bribery.
