Health and Social Care Act 2001 (external link)

This Act is designed to deliver many of the aspects of the NHS Plan that required changes to primary legislation.

In relation to complaints, it legislated for

• the Healthcare Commission to be set up
• regulations to be made about complaints procedures in both health and social services
• the Health Service Ombudsman to consider complaints about the handling of NHS complaints by any person or NHS body.

The Act also amended the existing statutory Social Services complaints procedure, and placed a duty upon CSCI to work closely with the Healthcare Commission in matters of complaints concerning joint health and social care provision.

Section 11 of the Act places a duty on NHS Trusts and Strategic Health Authorities to make arrangements to involve and consult patients and the public in service planning and operation, and in the development of proposals for changes. This is monitored by the Healthcare Commission and the Commission for Social Care Inspection.

Guidance: Strengthening Accountability (external link)Involving Patients and Public Policy and Practice Guidance Section 11 of the Health and Social Care Act
(160 pages)

4Ps briefing on patient and public involvement (external link)

Next: National Health Service Reform and Health Care Professions Act 2002