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PM pledges greater patient power

14/05/2008

Patients will be given greater power under an NHS reform bill, the prime minister announced today.

In the draft Queen's Speech, Gordon Brown said more power would be placed in the hands of patients and they would be given new rights to control their personal budget and have more say in the running of their local primary care trust.

The new powers would be enshrined in a constitution for an NHS, which will outline what patients can expect.

As the NHS turns 60, Mr Brown said the government would continue to work to ensure the highest possible standards of care and to help individuals shape the care they receive.

"An NHS Constitution would describe the rights and responsibilities of staff and patients to strengthen and sustain the NHS," the draft Queen's Speech says.

"It would clarify rights for patients, such as informed consent prior to treatment; and expectations on patients – attending appointments and respecting staff."

The draft plans also outline the creation of a new performance regime for healthcare which would provide new powers to suspend the chair and non-executive directors of NHS trusts that fail to meet the requirements of public office.

The government will also look at, the draft speech added, the opportunities for patients to have more scope to organise their treatment and care around their own needs.

The choices which patients and carers can make over the treatment they receive will be extended, for example to choose to receive care at home or to self-care.