Consultation outcome

NHS Constitution: 10 year review

From:: Department of Health and Social Care
Published: 30 April 2024
Last updated: 3 March 2025 — See all updates

Applies to England

Detail of outcome

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the consultation on proposed changes to the NHS Constitution.

We recognise the timing of the general election disrupted the consultation and people’s ability to respond. We also appreciate more could have been done to ensure the accessibility and inclusivity of the consultation so that it could reach a wider audience.

For these reasons, this 10-year review is now closed.

For those who spent their time responding to the consultation, be assured that we will consider your feedback and take into account all relevant factors as part of our 10 Year Health Plan.

We will be developing the next consultation on the NHS Constitution to align with the 10 Year Health Plan’s ambitions. Exact timings for this will be set out in due course.

Original consultation

Consultation description

The NHS Constitution sets out the principles, values, rights and pledges underpinning the NHS as a comprehensive health service, free at the point of use for all who need it.

It empowers patients, staff and the public to know and exercise their rights in order to help drive improvements in quality, efficiency and responsiveness throughout the NHS. It brings together, in one place, existing rights as set out in various legislation. It does not, in itself, create new rights or replace existing ones.

We are now seeking views on how best to change the NHS Constitution. This consultation is part of the process to complete the 10 year review, as legislated for in the Health Act 2009.

The NHS Constitution applies to all those who use its many services, its staff and providers. During this consultation exercise, we want to hear from people across this broad spectrum, to help us define and enshrine the values of the NHS for years to come.

See the easy read version of this consultation.

Documents