The new NHS constitution has been backed by NHS Eastern and Coastal Kent.

The constitution will give patients and the public a list of their rights and contains a range of pledges to patients and staff which the NHS aims to achieve.

The constitution, which was signed by the prime minister Gordon Brown last week, is the first of its kind in the world.

Chief Executive of NHS Eastern and Coastal Kent Ann Sutton said: “The NHS Constitution represents an historic move to ensure patients’ rights are clearly set out as well as our expectations of how people can contribute to the effective working of the health service, such as registering with a GP and turning up for appointments.

“The PCT is commissioning more and more healthcare services for patients. We have put a great deal of effort into improving and increasing meaningful engagement with the population across our area.”

Rights for patients in the constitution include accessing healthcare records, the right to make choices about care and to receive information to help make those choices.