Why it's important
Patients and the public see the NHS as a single, national, unified service and expect and want the NHS Identity to be applied in a consistent and uniform way – it reassures them that they can rely on the quality of healthcare being provided wherever they access it.
Find out more below98% prompted awareness of the NHS lozenge
87% spontaneous awareness of the blue and white colours of the logo
“NHS logo makes me feel that it is a service I can access that is free and trustworthy.”
A single NHS Identity was introduced in England in 1999 to signpost people to NHS organisations and services and to help them identify information which has come from an official NHS source. The NHS logo is now instantly recognised and its application directly affects how patients and the public think and feel about the NHS. It has become one of the most cherished, trusted and powerful brands in England. The NHS Identity Policy and technical guidelines are the way we will achieve the national standard and consistency that our patients expect from the NHS.
“They’ve got the blue — we can trust them.”
Extensive research and engagement has been carried out to ensure the NHS Identity Policy is based on the views and needs of patients, the public and stakeholders.
The NHS Identity is the visual representation of the NHS values as set out in the NHS Constitution
Working together for patients
Respect and dignity
Commitment to quality of care
Compassion
Improving lives
Everyone counts
The NHS Identity guidelines are based on six overarching principles which provide the strategic direction for the use of the NHS Identity and create a framework to ensure all current and future decisions about the NHS Identity are consistent. They are aligned to the NHS Constitution’s key principles and the NHS values and ensure that the interests and needs of patients and the public are considered first.
“I feel it’s important to me the consistency is there, that way I know that it’s trustworthy, I can go there and I can get the help I need”