01/04/2010
New Patient Rights In England
All NHS patients in England will today have new legal rights to fast treatment, enshrined in the NHS Constitution.
Anyone suspected of having cancer who is urgently referred by their GP will have the legal right to wait no more than two weeks to see a specialist, and people referred for elective procedures will have the legal right to start treatment within 18 weeks.
Health Secretary Andy Burnham said: "These new rights build on bringing waiting times from referral to treatment down to an average of around eight weeks, and saving lives through faster access to cancer specialists across the country.
"We want patients to have the legal right to key diagnostic tests and results for patients who may have cancer within one week of seeing a GP, to die at home, to evening and weekend access to GPs, and to access to NHS dentistry," he said.
From April 2012, all those eligible aged 40-74 will have the legal right to an NHS Health Check every five years to assess their risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease.
From 2011/12, the initial focus is on providing the tests and results associated with lung, colorectal and ovarian cancer within two weeks and subject to the necessary funding being available, this will then be expanded to include the relevant tests and results for all cancers within one week.
(PR/GK)
Anyone suspected of having cancer who is urgently referred by their GP will have the legal right to wait no more than two weeks to see a specialist, and people referred for elective procedures will have the legal right to start treatment within 18 weeks.
Health Secretary Andy Burnham said: "These new rights build on bringing waiting times from referral to treatment down to an average of around eight weeks, and saving lives through faster access to cancer specialists across the country.
"We want patients to have the legal right to key diagnostic tests and results for patients who may have cancer within one week of seeing a GP, to die at home, to evening and weekend access to GPs, and to access to NHS dentistry," he said.
From April 2012, all those eligible aged 40-74 will have the legal right to an NHS Health Check every five years to assess their risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease.
From 2011/12, the initial focus is on providing the tests and results associated with lung, colorectal and ovarian cancer within two weeks and subject to the necessary funding being available, this will then be expanded to include the relevant tests and results for all cancers within one week.
(PR/GK)
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Sienna Claims 'Harassment Campaign' By Paps
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No Human Rights' Protection For Troops
Human rights protection does not apply to British troops involved in conflict - that's according to the Supreme Court that has ruled that UK soldiers are not protected by human rights laws on the battlefield.
No Human Rights' Protection For Troops
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.