National Service Framework

National Service Frameworks (NSFs) are policies set by the National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom to define standards of care for major medical issues such as cancer, coronary heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, kidney disease, long-term conditions, mental health, old age, and stroke care.

NSFs are developed in partnership with health professionals, patients, carers, health service managers, voluntary agencies and other experts.

The two main roles of NSFs are:

1. Set clear quality requirements for care based on the best available evidence of what treatments and services work most effectively for patients.
2. Offer strategies and support to help organisations achieve these.

Sources

• Department of Health: National Service Framework
• NHS: National Service Framework (text used with permission)