NHS constitution debate

This short briefing introduces the White Paper on Empowerment which was published in summer 2008 and gives an indication of the range and nature of active citizenship questions that were to be considered. The Department for Communities and Local Government took the lead on promoting a wider range of engagement at local councillor level. Several prompt questions were raised for members to consider and to send early views to the Policy Unit. These were submitted to the Department for Communities and Local Government and informed the content of the White Paper.

The RCN is particularly interested in the questions that relate to active citizenship and the revival of civic society and local democracy. There is a link across to current RCN activity on the content of an NHS Constitution for England.

For further information, please email papa.ukintl.dept@rcn.org.uk