The user in primary health care: Developing the Patients Charter and the need for partnership

Abstract

This article reviews work undertaken at the Marylebone Health Centre in developing the role of the user in implementing the 'Patients Charter' and developing user participation with fundholding practices. The model favoured by the authors is that of developing a partnership where the power of the health professionals and users of the health centre is more balanced in a reciprocal system of rights and responsibilities towards the service. The Patients Charter has many limitations but has been useful in developing a more consumerist model towards primary health care.

Key Words:

• Primary health care
• user
• partnership
• Patients Charter