Public service values and associated behaviours are and must be at the heart of the NHS in Wales

This means being a value-driven organisation, rooted in Nolan principles and high standards of public life and behaviour, including openness, customer service standards, diversity and engaged leadership.

The values that will underpin the new NHS in Wales were set out in Consultation Paper II: Delivering the new NHS for Wales. They are:

• putting patients and patient safety above all things;
• maintaining consistently high standards of care;
• all services being given equal prominence;
• open and transparent governance;
• compliance with the highest standard of probity;
• strong commitment to partnership working; and
• valuing staff

Demonstration of these values needs to be set in the context of the overall governance and accountability framework defined for NHS Wales of which the Assembly Government's Citizen Centred Governance principles form an essential component. It is therefore proposed to develop A Values and Standards of Behaviour Framework which will embody the values and standards of behaviour we will expect to see at all levels of the service and will set out the requirements for truly living public service values.

The following pages provide more information on what is proposed as well as guidance on equality and diversity.