A set of standards set out by the Government for the way in which care must be provided to a particular patient group (for example mental health patients and older people).
Detailed guidance on the best approaches to treatment of specific conditions, e.g. mental health and diabetes
A range of documents (Frameworks) have been issued which set out national standards and define service models for a defined service or Care Groups. Examples include Mental Health, Cancer and Diabetes. See also: National Policies on this site for additional information
These frameworks are evidence-based strategies setting out national standards of care patients can expect to receive from the NHS in major care areas or disease groups. Current NSFs include mental health, older people and coronary heart disease.
The National Service Framework (NSF) for mental health was introduced by the Government in 1999. It establishes a set of minimum national standards of clinical quality and access to services in mental health. The objective of the NSF is to drive up performance and decrease geographical variations in care standards.
Department of Health guidance that defines evidence- based standards and good practice in a clinical area or for a patient group. Examples include mental health, coronary heart disease and older people
Sets national standards and defines service models for different services or care groups
National Service Frameworks (NSFs) are policies set by the National Health Service in the United Kingdom to define standards of care for major medical issues such as cancer, coronary heart disease, mental health and diabetes. NSFs are also defined for some key patient groups including children and older people.