The Patient Rights (Scotland) Act has been passed.  Measures in the Act include:

• a 12-week treatment time guarantee
• provision for a patient advice and support service
• bringing in a legal right to complain
• a duty on Scottish Ministers to publish a Charter of Patient Rights and Responsibilities

The Act also places a duty on NHS bodies to encourage patients to give feedback or comments, or raise complaints on the care they have received. Scottish Ministers may give directions to relevant NHS bodies regarding the use of conciliation or mediation to try to resolve complaints.