The aim of the Department of Health is to improve the health and well-being of people in England. Based mainly in London and Leeds, the Department is responsible for: -setting the overall direction and driving forward change and modernisation in the NHS and social care. - setting national standards to improve quality of services. - advising Ministers on making major investment decisions.- driving choice for patients and users. - working with key partners (for example, Strategic Health authorities, the voluntary sector and patient groups) to ensure that the public receive quality services. To ensure that the needs of patients and service users are at the forefront of health and social care, they focus on the things that most matter to patients - such as cancer, heart disease, mental health, primary care and older peoples' care - as well as reducing appointment waiting times. Other priorities focus on making sure they have the right staff and right capacity to deliver first-class treatment and care.