Ethical and societal issues

2020 - Consultation response - ABPI code of practice
We welcome the principles and approach to working with voluntary sector organisations of the ABPI's code.

2019 - Policy statement - Assisted dying
Our position on assisted dying and assisted suicide.

2018 - Policy statement - Patient data
Our position on when and how patient data should be used.

2018 - Consultation response - Opt-out organ donation
The Government has decided to introduce a system of opt-out organ donation (or 'presumed consent') in England. This response gives our recommendations on safeguards and practicalities for the new system.

Latest

Take your chance to shape the future of medical practice

The General Medical Council (GMC) is consulting on an updated version of Good medical practice, its overarching ethical guidance for all doctors working in the UK. Neil Tester, deputy chair of the GMC’s Good medical practice advisory forum, explains why it’s important for patients to have their say.
Snapshot of health professionals' attitudes to shared decision making

Our latest report, Shared decision making from the perspective of clinicians and healthcare professionals, is based on the views of more than 1,400 professionals. We highlight our findings in this infographic.
Patients ability to work with health professionals undermined by current crisis in the NHS

Doctors, nurses and other health professionals practice and support shared decision making. But, as our latest reports lays out, there are many obstacles preventing them for working this way with patients on a daily basis.
Health professionals back patient involvement in their own care, Patients Association survey finds

But workforce crisis prevents patients from participating fully in decisions about their care

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Our objectives for equality, diversity and inclusion
The long road to recovery

The number of people waiting for hospital treatment is now 6.1 million, including 300,000 who have been waiting a year. We analyse the elective recovery plan and the integration white paper from a patient point of view.
Act now to protect the NHS

The Patients Association calls on Sajid Javid to prevent ‘catastrophic winter’ in a letter to the Health Secretary
Our commitment to being an inclusive organisation

Black History Month ends this week. Chief Executive Rachel Power talks about how we're building connections with Black communities.
Social care changes: how will the new charging system work?

What is the 'cap' and the 'floor' in the new plans for charging for social care? We give an explanation.
Pandemic Patient Experience II: Delays and cancellations

Most respondents to our survey had experienced delayed or cancelled appointments.
Pandemic Patient Experience II: Staying away from care?

We found that it was more common during the pandemic for patients to try to access care but struggle than to stay away voluntarily, although both happened.
Pandemic Patient Experience II: NHS 111

Our survey showed a modest increase in use of NHS 111 during the pandemic, and a mix of patient experiences - more positive than negative, but still with some cause for concern.
Pandemic Patient Experience II: Access to services

Patients told us about the difficulties they encountered accessing care during the pandemic, with GP services a particular problem.
Pandemic Patient Experience II: Vaccinations

Patient feedback about the vaccination programme has been very positive, with most respondents to our survey finding appointments easy to arrange and reassuring to experience.