title: Exploring patients' rights: what does the NHS Constitution tell us?
abstract: On 8 March 2012, the NHS published the latest version of its Constitution. In this article, the author explores the background of the debate regarding patients' rights and entitlements in the NHS. The author also discusses the provisions of the NHS Constitution, noting that it is largely a statement of existing principles, rather than a bold statement of rights. The paper suggests that, in some instances, its discussion of rights may suggest that patients have broader rights than may in fact be the case. The Constitution is currently under review, and the author recommends that the way forward for a society where the provision of care is likely to be more complex would be the introduction of a Patients' Rights Act.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Health Law, Science and Policy, University of Birmingham.
authors.forename: Jean V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: McHale
mesh_terms: D018166:Health Care Reform; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D028701:Patient Rights; D018907:Privacy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D013222:State Medicine / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006113:United Kingdom