New patients rights are the top of the agenda for County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust who are seeking to clarify people’s views, on these, by questionnaire, or telephone.

These are a right to a yearly NHS health check and a right to access services and treatment within waiting times. Trust members have been asked to register their views in a poll, which is region wide by 15th January. The NHS North East is also looking to seek members’ views on a number of other patient rights issues. In future these may be included in the NHS Constitution.

Chairman of NHS North East, Sir Peter Carr said: “The NHS Constitution is a living document and needs to reflect what matters to all of us. People across the region now have a valuable opportunity to share their views on some important new patient rights and I would urge everyone to take a few minutes and complete the online survey as soon as they can.”

The NHS Constitution received Royal Assent as part of the 2009 Health Act. This places a legal duty on all private and third sector NHS providers to comply with the privileges and rights contained in the Constitution.

To this end patients should have, if recommended by their GP, a right to drugs approved by the NHS. Funding decisions for treatment should be clearly explained. Choices about NHS care should be based on quality information and involvement. Patients should have a right in the say in the planning and development of local services.