The National Health Service (Revision of NHS Constitution Guiding Principles) Regulations 2015

• Citation: S.I. 2015/1426
• Sections: 6

Section 1 Citation, commencement and interpretation

These Regulations may be cited as the National Health Service (Revision of NHS Constitution Guiding Principles) Regulations 2015 and come into force on 27th July 2015.

Section 2 Citation, commencement and interpretation

In these Regulations “guiding principle” means one of the guiding principles set out in the NHS Constitution, within the meaning of Part 1, Chapter 1 of the Health Act 2009 .

Section 3 Revision of guiding principles

The guiding principles are revised in accordance with regulations 4 and 5.

Section 4 Revision of first guiding principle

For the first guiding principle substitute—

(1) The NHS provides a comprehensive service, available to all irrespective of gender, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion, belief, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, or marital or civil partnership status. The service is designed to improve, prevent, diagnose and treat both physical and mental health problems with equal regard. It has a duty to each and every individual that it serves and must respect their human rights. At the same time, it has a wider social duty to promote equality through the services it provides and to pay particular attention to groups or sections of society where improvements in health and life expectancy are not keeping pace with the rest of the population.

Section 5 Revision of fourth guiding principle

For the fourth guiding principle substitute—

(4) The patient will be at the heart of everything the NHS does. The NHS should support individuals to promote and manage their own health. NHS services must reflect, and should be coordinated around and tailored to, the needs and preferences of patients, their families and their carers. As part of this, the NHS will ensure that in line with the Armed Forces Covenant , those in the armed forces, reservists, their families and veterans are not disadvantaged in accessing health services in the area they reside. Patients, with their families and carers, where appropriate, will be involved in and consulted on all decisions about their care and treatment. The NHS will actively encourage feedback from the public, patients and staff, welcome it and use it to improve its services.

Section 6 Revocation

Regulation 3 of the National Health Service (Revision of NHS Constitution—Principles) Regulations 2013 is revoked.