Brown Signs New Health Care Constitution

Mr Brown and Health Secretary Alan Johnson were joined by NHS Chief Executive David Nicholson at the Constitution signing event in Downing Street this morning.

The document sets out, for the first time, what patients, staff and the public can expect from the National Health Service. It also contains a range of pledges such as providing universal access to recommended life-saving drugs and vaccines, enabling patients to see a cancer specialist within two weeks of referral and the right to make choices about one’s own care. For healthcare staff, the new constitution means a commitment to ensuring they have the tools they need to offer high-quality care to all patients.

Health Secretary Alan Johnson said:

"The content of the Constitution is based on discussions with thousands of NHS staff and patients across the country and will form the basis of a new relationship between staff and patients – a relationship based on partnership, respect and shared commitment where everyone knows what they can expect from the NHS and what is expected from them."

The Government has already committed to the construction of 100 new hospitals, widening access times to doctors and opening 150 new GP-run health centres this year that will offer appointments 12 hours a day, seven days a week.

By 10 Downing Street Official Wire