What Are the NHS Core Values? The 6 Values Explained

The NHS core values are the six values set out in the NHS Constitution for England: working together for patients, respect and dignity, commitment to quality of care, compassion, improving lives and everyone counts. Patients, the public and staff helped develop them, and NHS organisations build on them locally. They are used in recruitment, so if you apply for an NHS job, you will usually be asked how you show them.

Where the values come from

The NHS Constitution for England sets out the principles and values of the NHS in England, along with the rights and responsibilities of patients, the public and staff. It says the values were developed with patients, the public and staff, and that individual organisations will build on them for their local needs.

The six values explained

1. Working together for patients

Patients come first. The Constitution describes fully involving patients, staff, families, carers and communities, putting the needs of patients before organisational boundaries, and speaking up when things go wrong.

In practice: handing over clearly to the next shift, working with social care to arrange a safe discharge, or raising a concern about patient safety.

2. Respect and dignity

Valuing every person, whether a patient, family member, carer or colleague, as an individual. It includes taking what others say seriously and being honest about what you can and cannot do.

In practice: closing curtains during personal care, asking how someone likes to be addressed, and listening to a colleague's view even when you disagree.

3. Commitment to quality of care

Earning trust by getting the basics of quality, which are safety, effectiveness and patient experience, right every time, and welcoming feedback to improve.

In practice: following infection control procedures, double-checking medicines, and acting on complaints and feedback.

4. Compassion

Responding with humanity and kindness to each person's pain, distress, anxiety or need. The Constitution talks about finding time for patients, families and colleagues, and not waiting to be asked.

In practice: noticing that a visitor is upset and offering somewhere quiet to sit, or checking on a colleague after a difficult shift.

5. Improving lives

Striving to improve health, wellbeing and people's experience of the NHS, and valuing excellence in everyday things as well as in clinical practice and innovation.

In practice: suggesting a better way to organise a clinic, supporting a patient to manage their own condition, or completing training to improve your skills.

6. Everyone counts

Using resources for the benefit of the whole community, and making sure nobody is excluded, discriminated against or left behind. It also recognises that some people need more help and that difficult decisions have to be made.

In practice: arranging an interpreter, making reasonable adjustments for a disabled patient, and not wasting supplies.

How the values are used in recruitment

Many NHS employers use values-based recruitment. This means that, as well as checking your skills and qualifications, they assess whether your behaviour and attitudes match the NHS values.

NHS Health Careers says that if you apply for a role such as a healthcare assistant, you will be asked to show how you think the NHS values apply in your everyday work.

You may see this in:

• your application form's supporting statement
• interview questions such as "Tell me about a time you showed compassion"
• group exercises or scenario questions

Our guide on answering "Why do you want to work for the NHS?" shows how to use the values in an interview answer.

Local trust values

Many NHS trusts publish their own values, often shorter versions of the six NHS values, such as "kind, respectful, together". When applying for a job, read both the NHS values and the trust's own values, and use examples that show both.

Values and the NHS principles

The values sit alongside seven principles in the Constitution, including that the NHS provides a comprehensive service available to all, that access is based on clinical need rather than ability to pay, and that the patient is at the heart of everything the NHS does.

The seven principles behind the values

The NHS Constitution also sets out seven principles that guide the NHS. In summary:

1. The NHS provides a comprehensive service, available to all.
2. Access to NHS services is based on clinical need, not ability to pay.
3. The NHS aims for the highest standards of excellence and professionalism.
4. The patient is at the heart of everything the NHS does.
5. The NHS works across organisational boundaries, in partnership with other organisations.
6. The NHS is committed to providing best value for taxpayers' money.
7. The NHS is accountable to the public, communities and patients it serves.

The values describe how people in the NHS should behave. The principles describe what the NHS as a whole is for.

Rights and responsibilities

The Constitution also sets out rights and pledges for patients and staff, and the responsibilities each owes to the other. For staff, these include rights such as a safe working environment, and responsibilities such as following professional standards and raising concerns about safety. If you work in the NHS, it is worth reading the staff section in full.

Questions about NHS values

Are the NHS values the same in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?

The NHS Constitution covers England. Health services in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own values, which share many of the same themes.

Do I need to memorise the values for an interview?

It helps to know them, but interviewers are more interested in real examples of how you have shown them.

Sources

Checked on 14 October 2026:

• GOV.UK: NHS Constitution for England
• NHS Health Careers: Healthcare assistant