Ann Keen to lead NHS constitution development

Ann Keen, the health minister, is to be the new ministerial lead for the NHS constitution, it has been confirmed.

The Department of Health notes she will oversee the development of the document, which will “empower both patients and staff” by detailing their responsibilities and rights in one place for the first time.

Forming part of Lord Darzi’s review of the NHS, the draft constitution was published on June 30th and over the summer, each of the service’s authorities has consulted with local people in order to gather feedback.

The consultation has now closed and responses are being reviewed in order to develop a final constitution.

Feedback on the draft constitution had been has been gathered by the Department of Health, led by a constitutional advisory forum.

Ms Keen states she is looking forward to leading the process which will “safeguard the future” of the NHS.

“Our focus over the next few weeks will be to make sure all the feedback we have gathered through consultation over the summer is used to produce a constitution which reflects the needs of a modern NHS and patients,” she adds.

The NHS states the constitution will be reviewed every ten years after it is created.