The NHS Constitution brings together in one place a number of rights, pledges and responsibilities for patients and staff alike, for the first time in the history of the NHS. As well as capturing the purpose, principles and values, the constitution states what patients, staff and the public can expect from the NHS.

The constitution was launched on 21 January 2009. It was one of a number of proposals in Lord Darzi’s report ‘High Quality Care for All’, which was published on the 60th anniversary of the NHS and outlined a ten-year plan to provide the highest quality care for patients in England.

Download the NHS Consitution here.