Patients given rights to NHS Dentistry.

The government have outlined plans to give patients a legal right to private treatment.

The new scheme is designed to give a legal right to quick health care for those patients that need dental treatment, as well as rights to medical treatment and rights to die at home.

Under the new plans, which would begin in April 2010, patients should receive treatment by a specialist within 18 weeks upon referral by their dentist or GP. If a patient is diagnosed with cancer they should see a specialist within two weeks according to the new scheme.

If NHS is unable to treat a patient within the allocated period then staff will have to offer alternative ways of getting treatment, including private health care.

Health Secretary Andy Burnham announced the plans on Tuesday 10 November 2009 and was accompanied by Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

The government think these plans will empower patients and increase access to NHS health care for millions no matter where they live.

Mr Burnham said that waiting times were the shortest they had ever been but claimed that he want to improve them still further and give patients a legal right to challenge ridiculous waiting periods. 

From 2012, the plans will also give everyone between the ages of 40 and 74 the right to a NHS Health Check every five years to monitor risks of kidney disease, heart disease, strokes and diabetes.