The Department of Health ran a consultation on new patient rights from 10 November 2009 until 5 February 2010. Following the consultation, a revised NHS Constitution has been published, including a new right to start non-urgent treatment within 18 weeks, and to see a specialist where cancer is suspected within two weeks of referral, or for the NHS to take all reasonable steps to offer a range of alternative providers where this is not possible. This document is the Government response. (Department of Health - publications)

This Constitution establishes the principles and values of the NHS in England. It sets out rights to which patients, public and staff are entitled, and pledges which the NHS is committed to achieve, together with responsibilities which the public, patients and staff owe to one another to ensure that the NHS operates fairly and effectively. All NHS bodies and private and third sector providers supplying NHS services are required by law to take account of this Constitution in their decisions and actions. (Department of Health - publications)

This handbook is designed to give NHS staff and patients all the information they need about the NHS Constitution for England. It outlines the roles played in protecting and developing the NHS and will help you understand your rights, pledges, values and responsibilities. (Department of Health - publications)

These Directions are given in exercise of the powers conferred on the Secretary of State by sections 8(1), 272(7) and (8) and 283(4) of the National Health Service Act 2006(a). (Department of Health - publications)

In 2009, 18 adult social care service users were brought together to explore proposals for funding social care in the future. This report details their views. (Joseph Rowntree Foundation - publications)

This is a letter from Gavin Larner, Director, Professional Standard regarding the reinstatement of the NHS appraisal toolkit on Thursday 4 March 2010. (Department of Health - publications)

Monitor's consultation on additional annual reporting requirements closed on 25 January 2010. They have now consolidated the responses received and comment on these in the summary of consultation responses, available in this report. (Monitor - publications)

This consultation is seeking views from the public, from healthcare professionals and from other staff working in the NHS on new proposals that give patients a much greater choice of GP practice. The consultation sets out the different options for organising healthcare for patients, and the potential implications of their choices if the current system of GP practice boundaries is removed. The consultation will close on 28 May 2010. (Department of Health - publications)

The first autism strategy for England aims to kick-start fundamental change in public services helping adults with autism to live independent lives and find work. It sets a clear framework for all mainstream services across the public sector to work together for adults with autism. (Department of Health - publications)

This letter explains the concept of enhanced recovery as an innovative approach to elective surgery that has the potential to support delivery of the QIPP programme. It has benefits for both patients and the NHS - improving quality of care by helping patients to recover sooner after major surgery, and reducing length of stay with obvious benefits to the NHS. (Department of Health - letters)

This briefing explains the link between employment and positive mental health as an important issue for the NHS, both in terms of supporting service users to recover from mental health conditions and for improving staff productivity. It outlines the key themes from recently launched government policies in this field and sets out actions for the NHS, as both an employer and service provider. (NHS Confederation - publications)

Section 15 of the Health Act 2009 introduces new sections to the National Health Service Act 2006 concerning the de-authorisation of NHS foundation trusts. This consultation document sets out Monitor's proposed approach and guidance on the criteria for de-authorisation. The consultation closes at 5pm on 26 May 2010. (Monitor - publications)

The Department of Health is consulting on draft regulations which will impose duties on designated bodies, including employers and contractors of health care workers, in all sectors, and regulatory bodies, relating to sharing information about the conduct or performance of health care workers to protect patient safety. The regulations require appropriate safeguards in place when relevant information is shared. (Department of Health - publications)

This resource has been designed help nurses and their teams understand the elements of the quality framework that relate to nursing practice. The purpose of the document is to inform nurses and their teams of their role in supporting quality improvements against the seven elements of the quality framework; to provide a ‘one-stop shop’ for key resources, which nursing teams can use to further demonstrate their added contribution to quality; and to reinforce the need for nurses to identify ways to reduce waste and repetition, by contributing to the quality and productivity challenge. (Department of Health - publications)

This report finds that increasing the number of GPs and primary care nurses working in emergency departments can improve the quality of patient care. However, it finds little evidence for claims that this approach drives down costs or avoids inappropriate hospital admissions. (Primary Care Foundation - publications)