The NHS Constitution for England is a document that sets out objectives of the National Health Service, rights and responsibilities of the various parties involved in health care, (staff, trust board, patients' rights and responsibilities) and the guiding principles which govern the service.
[1] Unlike a real constitution, the document is not itself legally enforceable, though it purports to set out the rights of patients and staff.
First published on 21 January 2009, it was one of a number of recommendations in Lord Darzi’s report "High Quality Care for All" as part of a ten-year plan to provide the highest quality of care and service for patients in England.
[citation needed] It can be seen as a development of the ideas that began with the introduction of the Patient's Charter in 1991.
Accompanying is a handbook which gives more information to patients and staff about the document, and also provides detail on the legislation that underpins the rights.