NHS Treatment Law Comes Into Force

29th September 2012

From today, NHS patients requiring planned inpatient or day case treatment will be covered by a 'Treatment Time Guarantee' enshrined in law.

The guarantee will mean that patients will have a legal right to receive treatment within a maximum of 12 weeks from when they are diagnosed and agree to the treatment.

The guarantee is one of the rights in the Charter of Patient Rights and Responsibilities which brings together, in one place, a summary of the rights and responsibilities that patients have when using NHS services.

As part of this work, an independent advice service has also been set up to offer advice and support to NHS patients across Scotland. PASS (Patients Advice and Support Service) will be delivered through local Citizen's Advice Bureaux offices and Health Board Patient Information Centres.

Patient Advisers will be on hand to provide advice and encourage patients to give feedback on their experiences to help further improve NHS healthcare.

Health Secretary Alex Neil said:"Patients in Scotland are being treated quicker than ever - and this fast treatment will now be protected by a legal guarantee.

"We are continuing to meet our full 18 weeks from GP referral to treatment target, and now, as part of this journey, once patients are diagnosed and agree to the treatment it will start within 12 weeks.

"In 2007 over 29,000 people were stuck on 'hidden waiting lists' not getting the treatment they needed. I am proud that Scottish patients are reaping the benefits of what the NHS can be achieved by protecting the founding principles of the National Health Service.

"The Charter marks an important step forward in giving people more say in their health service. Our health service is remaining in public hands so we want patients to be as involved as possible.

"We know that while our health service does a fantastic job, it is not perfect and that is why we need everyone to give us their feedback so that health boards can continually improve the care they provide.

"We put patients before profits, our NHS belongs to everyone - and everyone can help us to deliver the very best care."

There are a small number of exceptions for specialist treatments.