Download NHS mandate - Devon Health and Wellbeing

Item 7
Shadow Devon Health and Wellbeing Board
10th January 2013
NHS Commissioning Board Constitution and NHS Mandate
Report of the Chief Executive
Recommendation: It is recommended that the Shadow Devon Health and Wellbeing Board note the
NHS Commissioning Board Mandate and the NHS Constitution and take into account the areas for
improvement and the principles and values where relevant to aspects of the Shadow Health and
Wellbeing Board’s work.
1. Context
The NHS Mandate, agreed between Government and the NHS Commissioning Board, was published on
13th November 2012 and sets out five areas for improvement. The Mandate reaffirms the Government’s
commitment to an NHS that remains comprehensive and universal – available to all based on clinical
need and not ability to pay – and that is able to meet patients’ needs and expectations now and in the
future. Following wide ranging consultation the NHS Constitution setting out the principles and values that
underpin the delivery of the NHS was published on 13th December 2012.
2. NHS Mandate
2.1 The NHS Mandate is structured around five key areas where the Government expects the NHS
Commissioning Board to make improvements:

preventing people from dying prematurely

enhancing quality of life for people with long-term conditions

helping people to recover from episodes of ill health or following injury

ensuring that people have a positive experience of care

treating and caring for people in a safe environment and protecting them from avoidable harm.
Through the Mandate, the NHS will be measured, for the first time, by how well it achieves the things that
really matter to people.
2.2 The key objectives contained within the Mandate include:

improving standards of care and not just treatment, especially for the elderly

better diagnosis, treatment and care for people with dementia

better care for women during pregnancy, including a named midwife responsible for ensuring
personalised, one-to-one care throughout pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period

every patient will be able to give feedback on the quality of their care through the Friends and
Family Test starting from next April (2013)– so patients will be able to tell which wards, A&E
departments, maternity units and hospitals are providing the best care

by 2015 everyone will be able to book their GP appointments online, order a repeat prescription
online and talk to their GP online

putting mental health on an equal footing with physical health – this means everyone who needs
mental health services having timely access to the best available treatment

preventing premature deaths from the biggest killers

by 2015, everyone should be able to find out how well their local NHS is providing the care they
need, with the publication of the results it achieves for all major services
3. NHS Constitution
3.1 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.
Item 7
3.2 Seven key principles guide the NHS in all it does:

The NHS provides a comprehensive service, available to all

Access to NHS services is based on clinical need, not an individual’s ability to pay.

The NHS aspires to the highest standards of excellence and professionalism

NHS services must reflect the needs and preferences of patients, their families and their carers.

The NHS works across organisational boundaries and in partnership with other organisations in
the interest of patients, local communities and the wider population.

The NHS is committed to providing best value for taxpayers’ money and the most effective, fair
and sustainable use of finite resources.

The NHS is accountable to the public, communities and patients that it serves.
3.3 The principles are underpinned by core NHS values which have been derived from extensive
discussions with staff, patients and the public:

Respect and dignity

Commitment to quality care

Compassion

Improving lives

Working together for patients

Everyone counts
3. Summary
The NHS Mandate and the NHS Constitution will be central to the way in which the way in which the NHS
is monitored and viewed by the public, patients, users, carers and staff.
4. Legal Considerations
There are no specific legal considerations identified at this stage.
5. Risk Management Considerations
The establishment of the Devon Health and Wellbeing Board will be subject to all necessary safeguards
and action being to safeguard the Council's position. The corporate risk register will be updated as
appropriate.
6. Options/Alternatives
The Health and Social Care Bill requires all upper tier authorities to establish a shadow Health and
Wellbeing Board by April 2012 and a statutory Board by April 2013.
7. Public Health Impact
The Shadow Devon Health and Wellbeing Board will be central to overseeing the commissioning of
services which address public health and other relevant health and wellbeing outcomes.
Dr Phil Norrey
CHIEF EXECUTIVE
DEVON COUNTY COUNCIL
Electoral Divisions: All
Cabinet Member for Health and Children: Councillor Andrea Davis
Contact for enquiries: Ian Tearle
Room No 255, County Hall, Topsham Road, Exeter. EX2 4QU
Tel No: (01392) 367761
Background Papers
Nil