Legalize / United Kingdom / Public General Act

National Health Service Act 2006

Type Public General Act

Publication 2006-11-08

Last updated 2025-09-01

State In force

Department Statute Law Database

Source legislation.gov.uk

articles Not indexed

Reform history JSON API

NHS England must, in the exercise of its functions, act with a view to enabling patients to make choices with respect to aspects of health services provided to them.

13J

(1) NHS England must obtain advice appropriate for enabling it effectively to discharge its functions from persons who (taken together) have a broad range of professional expertise in—

(a) the prevention, diagnosis or treatment of illness, and

(b) the protection or improvement of public health.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply in relation to NHS England’s education and training functions (see section 102 of the Care Act 2014 for the obtaining of advice in relation to those functions).

13K

(1) NHS England must, in the exercise of its functions, promote innovation in the provision of health services (including innovation in the arrangements made for their provision).

(2) NHS England may make payments as prizes to promote innovation in the provision of health services.

(3) A prize may relate to—

(a) work at any stage of innovation (including research);

(b) work done at any time (including work before the commencement of section 23 of the Health and Social Care Act 2012).

13L

NHS England must, in the exercise of its functions, facilitate or otherwise promote—

(a) research on matters relevant to the health service, and

(b) the use in the health service of evidence obtained from research.

13M

NHS England must, in exercising its functions other than its education and training functions, have regard to the need to promote education and training for the persons mentioned in section 1F(1) so as to assist ... in the discharge of the duty under that section.

13N

(1) NHS England must exercise its functions with a view to securing that health services are provided in an integrated way where it considers that this would—

(a) improve the quality of those services (including the outcomes that are achieved from their provision),

(b) reduce inequalities between persons with respect to their ability to access those services, or

(c) reduce inequalities between persons with respect to the outcomes achieved for them by the provision of those services.

(2) NHS England must exercise its functions with a view to securing that the provision of health services is integrated with the provision of health-related services or social care services where it considers that this would—

(a) improve the quality of the health services (including the outcomes that are achieved from the provision of those services),

(b) reduce inequalities between persons with respect to their ability to access those services, or

(c) reduce inequalities between persons with respect to the outcomes achieved for them by the provision of those services.

(2A) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply in relation to the exercise of NHS England’s education and training functions.

(3) NHS England must encourage integrated care boards to enter into arrangements with local authorities in pursuance of regulations under section 75 where it considers that this would secure—

(a) that health services are provided in an integrated way and that this would have any of the effects mentioned in subsection (1)(a) to (c), or

(b) that the provision of health services is integrated with the provision of health-related services or social care services and that this would have any of the effects mentioned in subsection (2)(a) to (c).

(4) In this section—

“health-related services” means services that may have an effect on the health of individuals but are not health services or social care services;

“social care services” means services that are provided in pursuance of the social services functions of local authorities (within the meaning of the Local Authority Social Services Act 1970 or for the purposes of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014).

(5) For the purposes of this section, the provision of housing accommodation is a health-related service.

13O

(1) In making commissioning decisions, NHS England must have regard to the likely impact of those decisions on the provision of health services to persons who reside in an area of Wales or Scotland that is close to the border with England.

(2) In this section, “commissioning decisions”, in relation to NHS England, means decisions about the carrying out of its functions in arranging for the provision of health services.

13P

NHS England must not exercise its functions for the purpose of causing a variation in the proportion of services provided as part of the health service that is provided by persons of a particular description if that description is by reference to—

(a) whether the persons in question are in the public or (as the case may be) private sector, or

(b) some other aspect of their status.

Public involvement

13Q

(1) This section applies in relation to any health services which are, or are to be, provided pursuant to arrangements made by NHS England in the exercise of its functions (“commissioning arrangements”).

(2) NHS England must make arrangements to secure that individuals to whom the services are being or may be provided , and their carers and representatives (if any), are involved (whether by being consulted or provided with information or in other ways)—

(a) in the planning of the commissioning arrangements by NHS England,

(b) in the development and consideration of proposals by NHS England for changes in the commissioning arrangements where the implementation of the proposals would have an impact on the manner in which the services are delivered to the individuals or the range of health services available to them, and

(c) in decisions of NHS England affecting the operation of the commissioning arrangements where the implementation of the decisions would (if made) have such an impact.

(3) The reference in subsection (2)(b) to the delivery of services is a reference to their delivery at the point when they are received by users.

(4) This section does not require NHS England to make arrangements in relation to matters to which a trust special administrator’s draft or final report under section 65F or 65I relates before—

(a) in a case where the administrator’s report relates to an NHS trust, NHS England and the Secretary of State have made their decisions under section 65K(1) and (2), or

(b) in a case where the administrator’s report relates to an NHS foundation trust, the Secretary of State is satisfied as mentioned in section 65KB(1) or 65KD(1) or makes a decision under section 65KD(9).

Functions in relation to information

13R

(1) NHS England must establish and operate systems for collecting and analysing information relating to the safety of the services provided by the health service.

(2) NHS England must make information collected by virtue of subsection (1), and any other information obtained by analysing it, available to such persons as NHS England considers appropriate.

(3) NHS England may impose charges, calculated on such basis as it considers appropriate, in respect of information made available by it under subsection (2).

(4) NHS England must give advice and guidance, to such persons as it considers appropriate, for the purpose of maintaining and improving the safety of the services provided by the health service.

(5) NHS England must monitor the effectiveness of the advice and guidance given by it under subsection (4).

(6) An integrated care board must have regard to any advice or guidance given to it under subsection (4).

(7) NHS England may arrange for any other person (including another NHS body) to exercise any of NHS England’s functions under this section.

(8) Arrangements made under subsection (7) do not affect the liability of NHS England for the exercise of any of its functions.

13S

(1) NHS England must publish guidance for registered persons on the practice to be followed by them in relation to the processing of—

(a) patient information, and

(b) any other information obtained or generated in the course of the provision of the health service.

(2) Registered persons who carry on an activity which involves, or is connected with, the provision of health care must have regard to any guidance published under this section.

(3) In this section, “patient information”, “processing” and “registered person” have the same meaning as in section 20A of the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

Business plan and report

13T

(1) Before the start of each financial year, NHS England must publish a business plan setting out how it proposes to exercise its functions in that year and each of the next two financial years.

(2) The business plan must, in particular, explain how NHS England proposes to discharge its duties under—

(a) sections 13E, 13G , 13L and 13Q, and

(b) sections 223C to 223E.

(3) The business plan must, in particular, explain how NHS England proposes to achieve the objectives, and comply with the requirements, specified in the mandate ....

(3A) The fact that the mandate is revised during the period to which a business plan relates does not require NHS England to revise the plan.

(4) NHS England may revise the plan.

(5) NHS England must publish any revised plan.

13U

(1) As soon as practicable after the end of each financial year, NHS England must publish an annual report on how it has exercised its functions during the year.

(2) The annual report must, in particular, contain an assessment of—

(a) the extent to which, in that year, it met any objectives or requirements specified in the mandate,

(b) the extent to which it gave effect to the proposals for that year in its business plan, ...

section 6E(1A) and (1B);

section 13E;

section 13G;

section 13I;

section 13L;

section 13Q.

(d) how effectively it discharged its relevant data functions (as defined by section 253(3) of the Health and Social Care Act 2012), and

(e) how effectively it has discharged its education and training functions including, in particular, the extent to which it has during the year achieved the outcomes set by the Secretary of State for the purpose of section 100(2) of the Care Act 2014.

(2A) The annual report must include a statement explaining what NHS England has done, during the financial year, to comply with its duties under section 13SB.

(2B) The annual report must include—

(a) a statement of the amount of expenditure incurred by NHS England and integrated care boards during the year (taken together) in relation to mental health,

(b) a calculation of the proportion of the expenditure incurred by NHS England and integrated care boards during the year (taken together) that relates to mental health, and

(3) NHS England must—

(a) lay the annual report before Parliament, and

(b) once it has done so, send a copy of it to the Secretary of State.

(4) The Secretary of State must, having considered the annual report, set out in a letter to NHS England the Secretary of State's assessment of NHS England’s performance of its functions in the financial year in question.

(5) The letter must, in particular, contain the Secretary of State's assessment of the matters mentioned in subsection (2)(a) to (c).

(6) The Secretary of State must—

(a) publish the letter to NHS England, and

(b) lay it before Parliament.

Additional powers

13V

(1) NHS England and one or more integrated care boards may establish and maintain a pooled fund.

(2) A pooled fund is a fund—

(a) which is made up of contributions by the bodies which established it, and

(b) out of which payments may be made, with the agreement of those bodies, towards expenditure incurred in the discharge of any of their commissioning functions.

(3) In this section, “commissioning functions” means functions in arranging for the provision of services as part of the health service.

13W

(1) NHS England has power to do anything specified in section 7(2) of the Health and Medicines Act 1988 (provision of goods, services, etc.) for the purpose of making additional income available for improving the health service.

(2) NHS England may exercise a power conferred by subsection (1) only to the extent that its exercise does not to any significant extent interfere with the performance by NHS England of its functions.

13X

(1) NHS England may make payments by way of grant or loan to a voluntary organisation which provides or arranges for the provision of services which are similar to the services in respect of which NHS England has functions.

(2) The payments may be made subject to such terms and conditions as NHS England considers appropriate.

13Y

The power conferred on NHS England by section 2 includes, in particular, power to—

(a) enter into agreements,

(b) acquire and dispose of property, and

...

13Z

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Power to confer additional functions

13Z1

(1) Regulations may provide that NHS England is to have such additional functions in relation to the health service as may be specified in the regulations.

(2) A function may be specified in regulations under subsection (1) only if the function is connected to another function of NHS England.

...

13Z2

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Disclosure of information

13Z3

(1) NHS England may disclose information obtained by it in the exercise of its functions if—

(a) the information has previously been lawfully disclosed to the public,

(b) the disclosure is made under or pursuant to regulations under section 113 or 114 of the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003 (complaints about health care or social services),

(d) the disclosure is necessary or expedient for the purposes of protecting the welfare of any individual,

(e) the disclosure is made to any person in circumstances where it is necessary or expedient for the person to have the information for the purpose of exercising functions of that person under any enactment,

(f) the disclosure is made for the purpose of facilitating the exercise of any of NHS England’s functions,

(g) the disclosure is made in connection with the investigation of a criminal offence (whether or not in the United Kingdom), or

(h) the disclosure is made for the purpose of criminal proceedings (whether or not in the United Kingdom).

(2) Paragraphs (a) to (c) and (h) of subsection (1) have effect notwithstanding any rule of common law which would otherwise prohibit or restrict the disclosure.

Interpretation

13Z4

(1) In this Chapter—

“the health service” means the health service in England;

“health services” means services provided as part of the health service and, in sections 13O and 13Q, also includes services that are to be provided as part of the health service.

(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

CHAPTER A2 — Clinical commissioning groups

Establishment of clinical commissioning groups

14A

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14B

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14C

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14D

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Variation of constitution

14E

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14F

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Mergers, dissolution etc.

14G

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14H

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Supplemental provision about applications, variation, mergers etc.

14I

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14J

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14K

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Governing bodies of clinical commissioning groups

14L

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14M

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14N

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Conflicts of interest

14O

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General duties of clinical commissioning groups

14P

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14Q

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14R

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14S

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14T

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14U

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14V

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14W

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14X

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14Y

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14Z

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14Z1

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Public involvement

14Z2

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Arrangements with others

14Z3

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14Z4

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Additional powers of clinical commissioning groups

14Z5

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14Z6

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Board's functions in relation to clinical commissioning groups

14Z7

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14Z8

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14Z9

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14Z10

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Commissioning plans and reports

14Z11

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14Z12

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14Z13

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14Z14

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14Z15

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Performance assessment of clinical commissioning groups

14Z16

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Powers to require information etc.

14Z17

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14Z18

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14Z19

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14Z20

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Intervention powers

14Z21

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Procedural requirements in connection with certain powers

14Z22

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Disclosure of information

14Z23

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Interpretation

14Z24

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28A

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39A

(1) NHS England may appoint a panel of persons to which a governor of an NHS foundation trust may refer a question as to whether the trust has failed or is failing—

(a) to act in accordance with its constitution, or

(b) to act in accordance with provision made by or under this Chapter.

(2) A governor may refer a question to the panel only if more than half of the members of the council of governors voting approve the referral.

(3) The panel—

(a) may regulate its own procedure, and

(b) may establish such procedures, and make such other arrangements, as it considers appropriate for the purpose of determining questions referred to it under this section.

(4) The panel may decide whether, or to what extent, to carry out an investigation on a question referred to it under this section.

(5) The panel may for that purpose, or for the purpose of carrying out such an investigation, request information or advice.

(6) Where the panel has carried out such an investigation, it must publish a report of its determination of the question referred to it.

(7) If a person refuses to comply with a request made under subsection (5), the report under subsection (6) may refer to the refusal.

(8) On any proceedings before a court or tribunal relating to a question referred to the panel under this section, the court may take the panel's report of its determination of the question into account.

(9) NHS England—

(a) must pay expenses properly incurred by the panel, and

(b) must make administrative support available to the panel.

(10) Regulations may make provision as to—

(a) eligibility for membership of the panel;

(b) the number of persons that may be appointed as members;

(d) circumstances in which a person ceases to be a member or may be suspended.

NHS foundation trusts: de-authorisation and appointment of trust special administrator

65KA

(1) Within the period of 20 working days beginning with the day on which NHS England receives a final report under section 65I relating to an NHS foundation trust, NHS England must decide whether it is satisfied—

(a) that the action recommended in the final report would achieve the objective set out in section 65DA, and

(b) that the trust special administrator has carried out the administration duties.

(2) In subsection (1)(b), “administration duties” means the duties imposed on the administrator by—

(a) this Chapter,

(b) a direction under this Chapter, or

(3) If NHS England is satisfied as mentioned in subsection (1), it must as soon as reasonably practicable provide to the Secretary of State—

(a) the final report, and

(b) the report provided to NHS England by the Care Quality Commission under section 65D(3).

(4) If NHS England is not satisfied as mentioned in subsection (1), it must as soon as reasonably practicable give a notice of that decision to the administrator.

(5) Where NHS England gives a notice under subsection (4), sections 65F to 65J apply in relation to the trust to such extent, and with such modifications, as NHS England may specify in the notice.

(6) NHS England must as soon as reasonably practicable after giving a notice under subsection (4)—

(a) publish the notice;

(b) lay a copy of it before Parliament.

65KB

(1) Within the period of 30 working days beginning with the day on which the Secretary of State receives the reports referred to in section 65KA(3), the Secretary of State must decide whether the Secretary of State is satisfied—

(a) that the persons to which the NHS foundation trust in question provides services under this Act have discharged their functions for the purposes of this Chapter,

(b) that the trust special administrator has carried out the administration duties (within the meaning of section 65KA(1)(b)),

(ca) that the Care Quality Commission has discharged its functions for the purposes of this Chapter,

(d) that the action recommended in the final report would secure the continued provision of the services provided by the trust to which the objective set out in section 65DA applies,

(e) that the recommended action would secure the provision of services that are of sufficient safety and quality to be provided under this Act, and

(f) that the recommended action would provide good value for money.

(2) If the Secretary of State is not satisfied as mentioned in subsection (1), the Secretary of State must as soon as reasonably practicable—

(a) give the trust special administrator a notice of the decision and of the reasons for it;

(b) give a copy of the notice to NHS England and the Care Quality Commission;

(d) lay a copy of it before Parliament.

65KC

(1) Within the period of 20 working days beginning with the day on which the trust special administrator receives a notice under section 65KB(2), the administrator must provide to NHS England the final report varied so far as the administrator considers necessary to secure that the Secretary of State is satisfied as mentioned in section 65KB(1).

(2) Where the administrator provides to NHS England a final report under subsection (1), section 65KA applies in relation to the report as it applies in relation to a final report under section 65I; and for that purpose, that section has effect as if—

(a) in subsection (1), for “20 working days” there were substituted “10 working days”, and

(b) subsection (3)(b) were omitted.

(3) If the Secretary of State thinks that, in the circumstances, it is not reasonable for the administrator to be required to carry out the duty under subsection (1) within the period mentioned in that subsection, the Secretary of State may by order extend the period.

(4) If an order is made under subsection (3), the administrator must—

(a) publish a notice stating the date on which the period will expire, and

(b) where the administrator is proposing to carry out consultation in response to the notice under section 65KB(2), publish a statement setting out the means by which the administrator will consult during the extended period.

65KD

(1) Within the period of 30 working days beginning with the day on which the Secretary of State receives a final report under section 65KA(3) as applied by section 65KC(2), the Secretary of State must decide whether the Secretary of State is, in relation to the report, satisfied as to the matters in section 65KB(1)(a) to (f).

(2) If the Secretary of State is not satisfied as mentioned in subsection (1), the Secretary of State must as soon as reasonably practicable—

(a) publish a notice of the decision and the reasons for it;

(b) lay a copy of the notice before Parliament.

(3) Where the Secretary of State publishes a notice under subsection (2)(a), subsections (5), (6) and (8A) apply.

(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5) If the notice states that an integrated care board has failed to discharge a function—

(a) the board is to be treated for the purposes of this Act as having failed to discharge the function,

(b) the Secretary of State may exercise the functions of NHS England under section 14Z61 (2), (3)(a) and (5)(a), and

(6) Where, by virtue of subsection (5)(b), the Secretary of State exercises the function of NHS England under section 14Z61 (3)(a), the integrated care board to which the direction is given must cooperate with the Secretary of State.

(7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(8) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(8A) If the notice states that the Care Quality Commission has failed to discharge a function—

(a) the Care Quality Commission is to be treated for the purposes of this Act as having failed to discharge the function, and

(b) the failure is to be treated for those purposes as significant (and section 82 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 applies accordingly).

(9) Within the period of 60 working days beginning with the day on which the Secretary of State publishes a notice under subsection (2)(a), the Secretary of State must decide what action to take in relation to the trust.

(10) The Secretary of State must as soon as reasonably practicable—

(a) publish a notice of the decision and the reasons for it;

(b) lay a copy of the notice before Parliament.

65LA

(1) This section applies if—

(a) the Secretary of State is satisfied as mentioned in section 65KB(1) or 65KD(1), and

(b) the action recommended in the final report is to dissolve the NHS foundation trust in question.

(2) This section also applies if the Secretary of State decides under section 65KD(9) to dissolve the NHS foundation trust in question.

(3) NHS England may make an order—

(a) dissolving the trust, and

(b) transferring, or providing for the transfer of, the property and liabilities of the trust —

(i) to an NHS body;

(ii) to the Secretary of State;

(iii) between more than one NHS body or between one or more NHS bodies and the Secretary of State.

(4) An order under subsection (3) may include provision for the transfer of employees of the trust.

(5) The liabilities that may be transferred to an NHS body by virtue of subsection (3)(b) include criminal liabilities.

73A

(1) Each local authority must, acting jointly with the Secretary of State, appoint an individual to have responsibility for —

(a) the exercise by the authority of its functions under section 2B, 111 or 249 or Schedule 1,

(b) the exercise by the authority of its functions by virtue of section 6C(1) or (3),

(ca) the exercise by the authority of any public health functions of the Secretary of State in pursuance of arrangements made with another body by virtue of section 65Z5 or 75,

(d) the exercise by the authority of any of its functions that relate to planning for, or responding to, emergencies involving a risk to public health,

(e) the functions of the authority under section 325 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003, and

(f) such other functions relating to public health as may be prescribed.

(2) The individual so appointed is to be an officer of the local authority and is to be known as its director of public health.

(3) Subsection (4) applies if the Secretary of State—

(a) considers that the director has failed or might have failed to discharge (or to discharge properly) the responsibilities of the director under—

(i) subsection (1)(b), or

(ii) subsection (1)(c) where the arrangements relate to the Secretary of State's functions under section 2A, and

(b) has consulted the local authority.

(4) The Secretary of State may direct the local authority to—

(a) review how the director has discharged the responsibilities mentioned in subsection (3)(a);

(b) investigate whether the director has failed to discharge (or to discharge properly) those responsibilities;

(d) report to the Secretary of State on the action it has taken in pursuance of a direction given under any of the preceding paragraphs.

(5) A local authority may terminate the appointment of its director of public health.

(6) Before terminating the appointment of its director of public health, a local authority must consult the Secretary of State.

(7) A local authority must have regard to any guidance given by the Secretary of State in relation to its director of public health, including guidance as to appointment and termination of appointment, terms and conditions and management.

(8) In this section, “local authority” has the same meaning as in section 2B.

73C

(1) Regulations may make provision about the handling and consideration of complaints made under the regulations about —

(a) the exercise by a local authority of any of its public health functions;

(b) the exercise by a local authority of its functions by virtue of section 6C(1) or (3);

(ca) anything done by a local authority in the exercise of public health functions of the Secretary of State in pursuance of arrangements made with another body by virtue of section 65Z5 or 75;

(d) the exercise by a local authority of any of its other functions—

(i) which relate to public health, and

(ii) for which its director of public health has responsibility;

(e) the provision of services by another person in pursuance of arrangements made by a local authority in the exercise of any function mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (d).

(2) The regulations may provide for a complaint to be considered by one or more of the following—

(a) the local authority in respect of whose functions the complaint is made;

(b) an independent panel established under the regulations;

(3) The regulations may provide for a complaint or any matter raised by a complaint—

(a) to be referred to a Local Commissioner under Part 3 of the Local Government Act 1974 for the Commissioner to consider whether to investigate the complaint or matter under that Part;

(b) to be referred to any other person or body for that person or body to consider whether to take any action otherwise than under the regulations.

(4) Where the regulations make provision under subsection (3)(a) they may also provide for the complaint to be treated as satisfying sections 26A and 26B of the Act of 1974.

(5) Section 115 of the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003 (health care and social services complaints regulations: supplementary) applies in relation to regulations under this section as it applies in relation to regulations under subsection (1) of section 113 of that Act.

(6) In this section, “local authority” has the same meaning as in section 2B.

Directions

98A.

(1) The Secretary of State may direct the Board to exercise any of the Secretary of State's functions relating to the provision of primary medical services.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to any function of the Secretary of State of making an order or regulations.

(3) The Secretary of State may give directions to the Board about its exercise of any functions relating to the provision of primary medical services (including functions which the Board has been directed to exercise under subsection (1)).

(4) The Board may direct a clinical commissioning group to exercise any of the Board's functions relating to the provision of primary medical services.

(5) The Board may give directions to a clinical commissioning group about the exercise by it of any functions relating to the provision of primary medical services (including functions which the group has been directed to exercise under subsection (4)).

(6) Subsection (4) does not apply to such functions, or functions of such descriptions, as may be prescribed.

(7) Where the Board gives a direction under subsection (4) or (5), it may disclose to the clinical commissioning group information it has about the provision of the primary medical services in question, if the Board considers it necessary or appropriate to do so in order to enable or assist the group to exercise the function specified in the direction.

(8) A clinical commissioning group exercising a function specified in a direction under subsection (4) or (5) must report to the Board on matters arising out of the group's exercise of the function.

(9) A report under subsection (8) must be made in such form and manner as the Board may specify.

(10) The Board may, in exercising its functions relating to the provision of the primary medical services in question, have regard to a report under subsection (8).

Directions

114A.

(1) The Secretary of State may direct the Board to exercise any of the Secretary of State's functions relating to the provision of primary dental services.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to any function of the Secretary of State of making an order or regulations.

(3) The Secretary of State may give directions to the Board about its exercise of any functions relating to the provision of primary dental services (including functions which the Board has been directed to exercise under subsection (1)).

Directions

125A

(1) The Secretary of State may direct the Board to exercise any of the Secretary of State's functions relating to the provision of primary ophthalmic services.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to any function of the Secretary of State of making an order or regulations.

(3) The Secretary of State may give directions to the Board about its exercise of any functions relating to the provision of primary ophthalmic services (including functions which the Board has been directed to exercise under subsection (1)).

(4) The Board may direct a clinical commissioning group, a Special Health Authority or such other body as may be prescribed to exercise any of the Board's functions relating to the provision of primary ophthalmic services.

(5) The Board may give directions to a clinical commissioning group, a Special Health Authority or such other body as may be prescribed about the exercise by the body of any functions relating to the provision of primary ophthalmic services (including functions which it has been directed to exercise under subsection (4)).

(6) Subsection (4) does not apply to such functions, or functions of such descriptions, as may be prescribed.

(7) Where the Board gives a direction to a body under subsection (4) or (5), it may disclose to the body the information it has about the provision of the primary ophthalmic services in question, if the Board considers it necessary or appropriate to do so in order to enable or assist the body to exercise the function specified in the direction.

(8) A body which is given a direction under subsection (4) or (5) must report to the Board on matters arising out of the exercise of the function to which the direction relates.

(9) A report under subsection (8) must be made in such form and manner as the Board may specify.

(10) The Board may, in exercising its functions relating to the provision of the primary ophthalmic services in question, have regard to a report under subsection (8).

CHAPTER 4A — Lists of performers of pharmaceutical services and assistants

147A

(1) Regulations may make provision for the preparation, maintenance and publication by NHS England of one or more lists of—

(a) persons approved by NHS England for the purpose of assisting in the provision of pharmaceutical services which NHS England arranges;

(b) persons approved by NHS England for the purpose of performing local pharmaceutical services.

(2) The regulations may, in particular, provide that—

(a) a person of a prescribed description may not assist in the provision of pharmaceutical services which NHS England arranges unless the person is included in a list prepared by virtue of subsection (1)(a),

(b) a person of a prescribed description may not perform local pharmaceutical services unless the person is included in a list prepared by virtue of subsection (1)(b).

(3) The regulations may, in particular, also include provision as to—

(a) the preparation, maintenance and publication of a list,

(b) eligibility for inclusion in a list,

(c) applications for inclusion (including provision for the procedure for applications and the documents to be supplied on application, whether by the applicant or by arrangement with the applicant),

(d) the grounds on which an application for inclusion may or must be granted or refused or on which a decision on such an application may be deferred,

(e) requirements with which a person included in a list must comply (including the declaration of financial interests and gifts and other benefits),

(f) the grounds on which NHS England may or must suspend or remove a person from a list, the procedure for doing so, and the consequences of doing so,

(g) circumstances in which a person included in a list may not withdraw from it,

(h) payments to or in respect of a person suspended from a list (including provision for the amount of the payment, or the method of calculating it, to be determined by the Secretary of State or a person appointed by the Secretary of State),

(i) the supply to NHS England by an applicant for inclusion in a list, or by a person included in a list, of a criminal conviction certificate under section 112 of the Police Act 1997, a criminal record certificate under section 113A of that Act, an enhanced criminal record certificate under section 113B of that Act or up-date information within the meaning given by section 116A of that Act,

(j) the criteria to be applied in making decisions under the regulations,

(k) appeals against decisions made by NHS England under the regulations, and

(l) disclosure of information about applicants for inclusion, grants or refusals of applications or suspensions or removals,

and may make any provision corresponding to anything in sections 151 to 159.

(4) Regulations under this section may, in particular, also provide that approval for the purposes of either paragraph (a) or paragraph (b) of subsection (1) is to be treated for the purposes of this section as approval for the purposes of the other paragraph (and for lists prepared by virtue of that subsection to be read accordingly).

(5) Regulations under this section may, in particular, also provide for—

(a) a person's inclusion in a list to be subject to conditions determined by NHS England,

(b) NHS England to vary the conditions or impose different ones,

(d) the review by NHS England of decisions made by it by virtue of the regulations.

(6) The imposition of such conditions must be with a view to—

(a) preventing any prejudice to the efficiency of the services to which a list relates, or

(b) preventing any acts or omissions of the type described in section 151(3)(a).

(7) If the regulations provide under subsection (3)(f) or (5) that NHS England may suspend or remove a person (P) from a list, they must include provision—

(a) requiring P to be given notice of any allegation against P,

(b) giving P the opportunity of putting P's case at a hearing before NHS England makes any decision as to P's suspension or removal, and

(c) requiring P to be given notice of the decision of NHS England, the reasons for it and any right of appeal under subsection (8) or (9).

(8) If the regulations provide under subsection (3)(d) or (f) that NHS England may refuse a person's application for inclusion in a list, or remove a person from one, the regulations must provide for an appeal to the First-tier Tribunal against the decision of NHS England.

(9) If the regulations make provision under subsection (5), they must provide for an appeal by the person in question to the First-tier tribunal against the decision of NHS England—

(a) to impose conditions, or any particular condition,

(b) to vary a condition,

(d) on any review of an earlier such decision of NHS England.

(10) Regulations making provision as to the matters referred to in subsection (3)(l) may, in particular, authorise the disclosure of information—

(a) by NHS England to the Secretary of State, and

(b) by the Secretary of State to NHS England.

147B

(1) Regulations under section 147A may require a person (A) included in—

(a) a pharmaceutical list, or

(b) a list under section 132(3) (provision of drugs, medicines or listed appliances),

not to employ or engage a person (B) to assist A in the provision of the service to which the list relates unless B is included in a list mentioned in subsection (2).

(2) The lists are—

(a) a list referred to in subsection (1),

(b) a list under section 147A,

(d) a list corresponding to a list under section 91 prepared by NHS England by virtue of regulations made under section 145,

(e) a list corresponding to a list mentioned in any of paragraphs (a) to (d) prepared by a Local Health Board under or by virtue of the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006,

or, in any of the cases in paragraphs (a) to (e), such a list of a prescribed description.

(3) If regulations do so require, they may, in particular, require that both A and B be included in lists prepared by NHS England.

Directions

168A

(1) The Secretary of State may direct the Board to exercise any of the Secretary of State's functions relating to services that may be provided as pharmaceutical services, or as local pharmaceutical services, under this Part.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to any function of the Secretary of State of making an order or regulations.

(3) The Secretary of State may give directions to the Board about its exercise of any functions relating to pharmaceutical services or to local pharmaceutical services (including functions which the Board has been directed to exercise under subsection (1)).

Persons and bodies about which provision is made by this Part

186A

(1) The Secretary of State may make charges under this subsection in respect of any step taken under section 2A.

(2) The power conferred by subsection (1) does not apply in respect of the provision of a service or facility to an individual, or the taking of any other step in relation to an individual, for the purpose of protecting the individual's health.

(3) Charges under subsection (1) may be calculated on such basis as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

(4) Regulations may provide for the making and recovery of charges in respect of—

(a) the taking of prescribed steps by a local authority under section 2A (by virtue of regulations under section 6C(1)), and

(b) the taking of prescribed steps by a local authority under section 2B.

(5) Regulations under subsection (4) may make provision as to the calculation of charges authorised by the regulations, including provision prescribing the amount or the maximum amount that may be charged.

(6) Nothing in this section affects any other power conferred by or under this Act to make charges.

Publication of constitution of clinical commissioning groups

NHS England

223B

(1) The Secretary of State must pay to NHS England in respect of each financial year sums not exceeding the amount allotted for that year by the Secretary of State towards meeting the expenditure of NHS England which is attributable to the performance by it of its functions in that year.

(2) An amount is allotted to NHS England for a financial year under this section when NHS England is notified in writing by the Secretary of State that the amount is allotted to it for that year.

(3) The Secretary of State may make a new allotment under this section increasing or reducing the allotment previously so made only if—

(a) NHS England agrees to the change,

(b) a parliamentary general election takes place, or

(4) The Secretary of State may give directions to NHS England with respect to the payment of sums by it to the Secretary of State in respect of charges or other sums referable to the valuation or disposal of assets.

(5) Sums falling to be paid to NHS England under this section are payable subject to such conditions as to records, certificates or otherwise as the Secretary of State may determine.

(6) The Secretary of State may direct NHS England—

(a) that an amount of the sums paid to it under this section in respect of a financial year is to be used for purposes relating to service integration;

(b) about the use by NHS England of that amount for those purposes.

(7) The amount referred to in subsection (6)(a)—

(a) is to be determined in such manner as the Secretary of State considers appropriate, and

(b) must be specified in the direction.

(7A) The power under subsection (6)(b) includes power to give NHS England directions about the exercise of any of its functions under or by virtue of section 223GA (including directions requiring consultation with the Secretary of State or other specified persons).

(7B) The Secretary of State must publish any direction under subsection (6).

(8) The reference in subsection (6) to service integration is a reference to the integration of the provision of health services with the provision of health-related services or social care services, as referred to in sections 13N and 14Z42.

223C.

(1) NHS England must exercise its functions with a view to ensuring that expenditure incurred by the following bodies in a financial year (taken together) does not exceed the aggregate of any sums received by them in the year—

(a) NHS England;

(b) integrated care boards.

(2) The Secretary of State may by direction—

(a) specify descriptions of expenditure that are, or are not, to be treated for the purposes of this section as expenditure incurred by a body, or expenditure incurred by it in a particular financial year;

(b) specify descriptions of sums that are, or are not, to be treated for the purposes of this section as having been received by a body, or as having been received by it in a particular financial year;

(c) provide for sums received by NHS England under section 223B in a year but not spent to be treated for the purposes of this section as expenditure incurred by it in a particular financial year;

(d) provide for sums received by an integrated care board under section 223G in a year but not spent to be treated for the purposes of this section as expenditure incurred by it in a particular financial year.

(3) For the purposes of this section any sum allotted to NHS England for a year under section 223B is to be treated as received by it in that year (subject to any direction under subsection (2)(b)).

223D.

(1) NHS England must exercise its functions with a view to ensuring that, in respect of each financial year—

(a) total capital resource use does not exceed the limit specified in a direction by the Secretary of State;

(b) total revenue resource use does not exceed the limit specified in a direction by the Secretary of State.

(2) In subsection (1) “total capital resource use” and “total revenue resource use” means the use of capital resources or (as the case may be) revenue resources by relevant NHS bodies, other than use that consists of the transfer of resources between relevant NHS bodies.

(3) In subsection (2) “relevant NHS bodies” means—

(a) NHS England,

(b) integrated care boards,

(d) NHS foundation trusts.

(4) A direction under subsection (1)(a) or (b) specifying a limit in relation to a financial year may be varied by a subsequent direction only if—

(a) NHS England agrees to the change,

(b) a parliamentary general election takes place, or

(5) The Secretary of State must publish and lay before Parliament any directions under this section.

(6) Any reference in this Chapter to the use of capital resources or revenue resources is a reference to their expenditure, consumption or reduction in value.

223E.

(1) The Secretary of State may direct NHS England to ensure—

(a) that relevant capital resource use in a financial year which is attributable to matters specified in the direction does not exceed an amount so specified;

(b) that relevant revenue resource use in a financial year which is attributable to matters specified in the direction does not exceed an amount so specified.

(2) In subsection (1) “relevant capital resource use” and “relevant revenue resource use” means the use of capital resources or (as the case may be) revenue resources by NHS England and integrated care boards.

(3) The Secretary of State may direct NHS England to ensure that NHS England’s use of revenue resources in a financial year which is attributable to such matters relating to administration as are specified in the direction does not exceed an amount so specified.

223F

(1) NHS England may use a proportion of the sums paid to it under section 223B to establish a contingency fund.

(2) NHS England may make a payment out of the fund where the payment is necessary in order to enable—

(a) NHS England to discharge any of its commissioning functions, or

(b) an integrated care board to discharge any of its functions.

(3) NHS England must publish guidance as to how it proposes to exercise its powers to make payments out of the contingency fund.

(4) In this section, “commissioning functions” means functions in arranging for the provision of services as part of the health service.

Integrated care boards

223G

(1) NHS England must pay in respect of each financial year to each integrated care board sums not exceeding the amount allotted for that year by NHS England to the board towards meeting the expenditure of the board which is attributable to the performance by it of its functions in that year.

(2) In determining the amount to be allotted to an integrated care board for any year, NHS England may take into account—

(a) the expenditure of the integrated care board during any previous financial year, and

(b) the amount that it proposes to hold, during the year to which the allotment relates, in any contingency fund established under section 223F.

(3) An amount is allotted to an integrated care board for a year under this section when the board is notified in writing by NHS England that the amount is allotted to it for that year.

(4) NHS England may make a new allotment under this section increasing or reducing an allotment previously so made.

(5) Where NHS England allots an amount to an integrated care board or makes a new allotment under subsection (4), it must notify the Secretary of State.

(6) NHS England may give directions to an integrated care board with respect to—

(a) the application of sums paid to it by virtue of a new allotment increasing an allotment previously so made, and

(b) the payment of sums by it to NHS England in respect of charges or other sums referable to the valuation or disposal of assets.

(7) Sums falling to be paid to integrated care boards under this section are payable subject to such conditions as to records, certificates or otherwise as NHS England may determine.

(8) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

223H

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

223I

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

223J

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

223K

(1) NHS England may, after the end of a financial year, make a payment to an integrated care board.

(2) For the purpose of determining whether to make a payment under subsection (1) and (if so) the amount of the payment, NHS England must take into account at least one of the following factors—

(a) the quality of relevant services provided during the financial year;

(b) any improvement in the quality of relevant services provided during that year (in comparison to the quality of relevant services provided during previous financial years);

(c) the outcomes identified during the financial year as having been achieved from the provision at any time of relevant services;

(d) any improvement in the outcomes identified during that financial year as having been so achieved (in comparison to the outcomes identified during previous financial years as having been so achieved).

(3) For that purpose, NHS England may also take into account either or both of the following factors—

(a) relevant inequalities identified during that year;

(b) any reduction in relevant inequalities identified during that year (in comparison to relevant inequalities identified during previous financial years).

(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(6) Regulations may make provision as to how payments under subsection (1) may be spent ....

(7) An integrated care board must publish an explanation of how the board has spent any payment made to it under subsection (1).

(8) In this section—

“relevant services” means services provided in pursuance of arrangements made by the integrated care board in the exercise of its functions by virtue of this Act;

“relevant inequalities” means inequalities between the persons for whose benefit relevant services are at any time provided with respect to—their ability to access the services, orthe outcomes achieved for them by their provision.

Permission for use of facilities in private practice

Staff

SCHEDULE 1A

PART 1 — Constitution of clinical commissioning groups

General

1

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2

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3

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4

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5

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6

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Governing bodies of clinical commissioning groups

7

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8

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Supplemental

9

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PART 2 — Further provision about clinical commissioning groups

Status

10

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Staff

11

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Accountable officer

12

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Remuneration etc for members of governing bodies

13

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Additional powers in respect of payment of allowances

14

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...

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Externally financed development agreements

16

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Accounts and audits

17

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Provision of financial information to Board

18

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Provision of information required by the Secretary of State

19

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Incidental powers

20

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Seal and evidence

21

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PART 3 — Transfer schemes

22

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23

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24

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25

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26

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Power to make provision about voting

30

(1) Regulations may amend this Chapter so as to add, vary or omit provision relating to voting by members of the council of governors of a public benefit corporation that is an NHS foundation trust, by its directors or by its members.

(2) The power under sub-paragraph (1) is exercisable only in relation to provision in this Chapter that was inserted, or otherwise provided for, by Part 4 of the Health and Social Care Act 2012.

1G

(1) The Secretary of State must, within one year of the passing of the Health and Social Care Act 2012, lay a report before Parliament on the treatment of NHS health care providers as respects any matter, including taxation, which might affect their ability to provide health care services for the purposes of the NHS or the reward available to them for doing so.

(2) The report must include recommendations as to how any differences in the treatment of NHS health care providers identified in the report could be addressed.

(3) The Secretary of State must keep under review the treatment of NHS health care providers as respects any such matter as is mentioned in subsection (1).

(4) In this section—

(a) “NHS health care providers” means persons providing or intending to provide health care services for the purposes of the NHS, and

(b) “health care services for the purposes of the NHS” has the same meaning as in Part 3 of the Health and Social Care Act 2012.

247A

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Objective of trust special administration

NHS foundation trusts: de-authorisation and appointment of trust special administrator

Chapter 5A — Notices and penalties

150A

(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations provide that where a practitioner who provides pharmaceutical services under arrangements with NHS England breaches a term of those arrangements, NHS England may—

(a) by a notice require the practitioner to do, or not do, specified things or things of a specified description within a specified period, or

(b) in prescribed circumstances or for a prescribed period, withhold all or part of a payment due to the practitioner under the arrangements.

(2) Regulations under this section must include provision conferring on such persons as may be prescribed rights of appeal from decisions of NHS England made by virtue of this section.

(3) In this section—

“practitioner” means a person included in a pharmaceutical list, and

“specified” means specified in a notice under paragraph (a) of subsection (1).

Definitions

Interim Accounts

Seal and evidence

Role of NHS England in the health service in England

1H

(1) There is to be a body corporate known as NHS England.

(2) NHS England is subject to the duty under section 1(1) concurrently with the Secretary of State except in relation to the part of the health service that is provided in pursuance of the public health functions of the Secretary of State or local authorities.

(3) For the purpose of discharging that duty, NHS England—

(a) has the function of arranging for the provision of services for the purposes of the health service in England in accordance with this Act, and

(b) must exercise the functions conferred on it by this Act in relation to integrated care boards , NHS trusts established under section 25 and NHS foundation trusts so as to secure that services are provided for those purposes in accordance with this Act.

(4) Schedule A1 makes further provision about NHS England.

(5) In this Act—

(a) any reference to the public health functions of the Secretary of State is a reference to the functions of the Secretary of State under sections 2A and 2B and paragraphs 7C, 8 and 12 of Schedule 1, and

(b) any reference to the public health functions of local authorities is a reference to the functions of local authorities under sections 2B and 111 and paragraphs 1 to 7B and 13 of Schedule 1.

Role of integrated care boards in the health service in England

1I

An integrated care board established under Chapter A3 of Part 2 has the function of arranging for the provision of services for the purposes of the health service in England in accordance with this Act.

Exercise of Secretary of State's public health functions

7A.

(1) The Secretary of State may arrange for any of the public health functions of the Secretary of State to be exercised by one or more relevant bodies.

(2) In this section “relevant body” means—

(a) NHS England,

(b) an integrated care board,

(d) a combined authority, or

(da) a combined county authority, or

(e) such other body as may be prescribed.

(3) Arrangements under this section may be made on such terms as may be agreed between the parties including—

(a) terms as to payment;

(b) terms prohibiting or restricting a relevant body from making delegation arrangements in relation to a function that is exercisable by it by virtue of arrangements under this section.

(4) In subsection (3)(b) “delegation arrangements” means arrangements made by a person for the exercise of a function by someone else.

(5) Any rights acquired, or liabilities (including liabilities in tort) incurred, in respect of the exercise by a relevant body of any function by virtue of this section are enforceable by or against that body (and no other person).

(6) The reference in subsection (1) to the public health functions of the Secretary of State includes any functions of the Secretary of State exercisable in connection with those functions (including the powers conferred by section 12).

Miscellaneous

12E

(1) The Secretary of State must not exercise the functions mentioned in subsection (2) for the purpose of causing a variation in the proportion of services provided as part of the health service that is provided by persons of a particular description if that description is by reference to—

(a) whether the persons in question are in the public or (as the case may be) private sector, or

(b) some other aspect of their status.

(2) The functions mentioned in this subsection are the functions of the Secretary of State under—

(a) section 6E;

(b) section 12ZB;

Non-executive members: tenure

SCHEDULE A1

1

(1) NHS England is not to be regarded as a servant or agent of the Crown, or as enjoying any status, privilege or immunity of the Crown.

(2) NHS England’s property is not to be regarded as property of, or property held on behalf of, the Crown.

2

(1) NHS England is to consist of—

(a) a chair appointed by the Secretary of State,

(b) at least five other members so appointed, and

(2) In this Schedule—

(a) references to non-executive members of NHS England are references to the members appointed in accordance with sub-paragraph (1)(a) and (b), and

(b) references to executive members of NHS England are references to the other members.

(3) The number of executive members must be less than the number of non-executive members.

3

(1) The chief executive and the other executive members of the Board are to be appointed by the non-executive members.

(2) A person may not be appointed as chief executive without the consent of the Secretary of State.

(3) The chief executive and the other executive members are to be employees of the Board.

(4) The first chief executive of the Board is to be appointed by the Secretary of State.

4

(1) A person holds and vacates office as a non-executive member of NHS England in accordance with that person’s terms of appointment.

(2) A person may at any time resign from office as a non-executive member by giving notice to the Secretary of State.

(3) The Secretary of State may at any time remove a person from office as a non-executive member on any of the following grounds—

(a) incapacity,

(b) misbehaviour, or

(4) The Secretary of State may suspend a person from office as a non-executive member if it appears to the Secretary of State that there are or may be grounds to remove that person from office under sub-paragraph (3).

(5) A person may not be appointed as a non-executive member for a period of more than four years.

(6) A person who ceases to be a non-executive member is eligible for re-appointment.

5

(1) This paragraph applies where a person is suspended under paragraph 4(4).

(2) The Secretary of State must give notice of the decision to the person; and the suspension takes effect on receipt by the person of the notice.

(3) The notice may be—

(a) delivered in person (in which case the person is taken to receive it when it is delivered), or

(b) sent by first class post to the person’s last known address (in which case, the person is taken to receive it on the third day after the day on which it is posted).

(4) The initial period of suspension must not exceed six months.

(5) The Secretary of State may at any time review the suspension.

(6) The Secretary of State—

(a) must review the suspension if requested in writing by the person to do so, but

(b) need not review the suspension less than three months after the beginning of the initial period of suspension.

(7) Following a review during a period of suspension, the Secretary of State may—

(a) revoke the suspension, or

(b) suspend the person for another period of not more than six months from the expiry of the current period.

(8) The Secretary of State must revoke the suspension if the Secretary of State —

(a) decides that there are no grounds to remove the person from office under paragraph 4(3), or

(b) decides that there are grounds to do so but does not remove the person from office under that provision.

6

(1) Where a person is suspended from office as the chair under paragraph 4(4), the Secretary of State may appoint a non-executive member as interim chair to exercise the chair’s functions.

(2) Appointment as interim chair is for a term not exceeding the shorter of—

(a) the period ending with either—

(i) the appointment of a new chair, or

(ii) the revocation or expiry of the existing chair’s suspension, and

(b) the remainder of the interim chair’s term as a non-executive member.

(3) A person who ceases to be the interim chair is eligible for re-appointment.

7

(1) NHS England must pay to its non-executive members such remuneration as the Secretary of State may determine.

(2) NHS England must pay or make provision for the payment of such pensions, allowances or gratuities as the Secretary of State may determine to or in respect of any person who is or has been a non-executive member of NHS England.

(3) If a person ceases to be a non-executive member and the Secretary of State decides that there are exceptional circumstances which mean that the person should be compensated, NHS England must pay compensation to the person of such amount as the Secretary of State may, with the approval of the Treasury, determine.

8

NHS England may appoint such persons to be employees of NHS England as it considers appropriate.

9

(1) Employees of NHS England are to be paid such remuneration and allowances as NHS England may determine.

(2) Employees of NHS England are to be appointed on such other terms and conditions as NHS England may determine.

(3) NHS England may pay or make provision for the payment of such pensions, allowances or gratuities as it may determine to or in respect of any person who is or has been an employee of NHS England.

(4) Before making a determination as to remuneration, pensions, allowances or gratuities for the purposes of this paragraph, NHS England must obtain the approval of the Secretary of State to its policy on the matter.

10

(1) NHS England may appoint such committees and sub-committees as it considers appropriate.

(2) A committee or sub-committee may consist of or include persons who are not members or employees of NHS England.

(3) NHS England may pay such remuneration and allowances as it determines to any person who—

(a) is a member of a committee or a sub-committee, but

(b) is not an employee of NHS England,

whether or not that person is a non-executive member of NHS England.

11

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

12

(1) NHS England may regulate its own procedure.

(2) The validity of any act of NHS England is not affected by any vacancy among the members or by any defect in the appointment of any member.

Exercise of functions

13

NHS England may arrange for the exercise of any of its functions on its behalf by—

(a) any non-executive member,

(b) any employee (including any executive member), or

14

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

15

(1) NHS England must keep proper accounts and proper records in relation to the accounts.

(2) The Secretary of State may, with the approval of the Treasury, give directions to NHS England as to—

(a) the content and form of its accounts, and

(b) the methods and principles to be applied in the preparation of its accounts.

(3) In sub-paragraph (2) the reference to accounts includes a reference to NHS England’s consolidated annual accounts prepared under paragraph 16 and any interim accounts prepared by virtue of paragraph 17.

(4) The chief executive of NHS England is to be its accounting officer.

16

(1) The Board must prepare consolidated annual accounts in respect of each financial year.

(2) The consolidated annual accounts must contain—

(a) the Board’s annual accounts, and

(b) a consolidation of the Board’s annual accounts and the annual accounts of each clinical commissioning group.

(3) The Board must send copies of the consolidated annual accounts to—

(a) the Secretary of State, and

(b) the Comptroller and Auditor General,

within such period after the end of the financial year to which the accounts relate as the Secretary of State may direct.

(4) The Comptroller and Auditor General must—

(a) examine, certify and report on the consolidated annual accounts, and

(b) lay copies of the accounts and the report on them before Parliament.

(5) In this paragraph, “financial year” includes the period which begins with the day on which the Board is established and ends on the following 31 March.

Interim Accounts

17

(1) The Secretary of State may, with the approval of the Treasury, direct the Board to prepare accounts in respect of such period or periods as may be specified in the direction (“interim accounts”).

(2) The interim accounts in respect of any period must contain—

(a) the Board’s accounts in respect of that period, and

(b) a consolidation of the Board’s accounts in respect of that period and any accounts of clinical commissioning groups in respect of that period which are prepared by virtue of paragraph 17(3) of Schedule 1A.

(3) The Board must send copies of any interim accounts to—

(a) the Secretary of State, and

(b) if the Secretary of State so directs, the Comptroller and Auditor General,

within such period as the Secretary of State may direct.

(4) The Comptroller and Auditor General must—

(a) examine, certify and report on any interim accounts sent by virtue of sub-paragraph (3)(b),

(b) if the Secretary of State so directs, send a copy of the report on the accounts to the Secretary of State, and

Seal and evidence

18

(1) The application of NHS England’s seal must be authenticated by the signature of any member of NHS England or any other person who has been authorised (generally or specially) for that purpose.

(2) A document purporting to be duly executed under NHS England’s seal or to be signed on its behalf must be received in evidence and, unless the contrary is proved, taken to be so executed or signed.

1A

(1) The Secretary of State must exercise the functions of the Secretary of State in relation to the health service with a view to securing continuous improvement in the quality of services provided to individuals for or in connection with—

(a) the prevention, diagnosis or treatment of illness, or

(b) the protection or improvement of public health.

(2) In discharging the duty under subsection (1) the Secretary of State must, in particular, act with a view to securing continuous improvement in the outcomes that are achieved from the provision of the services.

(3) The outcomes relevant for the purposes of subsection (2) include, in particular, outcomes which show—

(a) the effectiveness of the services,

(b) the safety of the services, and

(4) In discharging the duty under subsection (1), the Secretary of State must have regard to the quality standards prepared by NICE under section 234 of the Health and Social Care Act 2012.

1B

(1) In exercising functions in relation to the health service, the Secretary of State must have regard to the NHS Constitution.

(2) In this Act, “NHS Constitution” has the same meaning as in Chapter 1 of Part 1 of the Health Act 2009 (see section 1 of that Act).

1C

In exercising functions in relation to the health service, the Secretary of State must have regard to the need to reduce inequalities between the people of England with respect to the benefits that they can obtain from the health service.

1D

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1E

In exercising functions in relation to the health service, the Secretary of State must facilitate or otherwise promote—

(a) research on matters relevant to the health service, and

(b) the use in the health service of evidence obtained from research.

1F

(1) The Secretary of State must exercise the functions of the Secretary of State under any relevant enactment so as to secure that there is an effective system for the planning and delivery of education and training to persons who are employed, or who are considering becoming employed, in an activity which involves or is connected with the provision of services as part of the health service in England.

(2) Any arrangements made with a person under this Act for the provision of services as part of that health service must include arrangements for securing that the person co-operates with the Secretary of State and NHS England in the discharge of the duty under subsection (1) (or, where a Special Health Authority is discharging that duty by virtue of a direction under section 7, with the Special Health Authority).

(3) In subsection (1), “relevant enactment” means—

(a) section 63 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968,

(b) this Act,

(d) the Health Act 2009, and

(e) the Health and Social Care Act 2012.

Provision for protection or improvement of public health

2A

(1) The Secretary of State must take such steps as the Secretary of State considers appropriate for the purpose of protecting the public in England from disease or other dangers to health.

(2) The steps that may be taken under subsection (1) include—

(a) the conduct of research or such other steps as the Secretary of State considers appropriate for advancing knowledge and understanding;

(b) providing microbiological or other technical services (whether in laboratories or otherwise);

(d) providing other services or facilities for the prevention, diagnosis or treatment of illness;

(e) providing training;

(f) providing information and advice;

(g) making available the services of any person or any facilities.

(3) Subsection (4) applies in relation to any function under this section which relates to—

(a) the protection of the public from ionising or non-ionising radiation, and

(b) a matter in respect of which a relevant body has a function.

(4) In exercising the function, the Secretary of State must—

(a) consult the relevant body, and

(b) have regard to its policies.

(5) For the purposes of subsections (3) and (4), each of the following is a relevant body—

(a) the Health and Safety Executive;

(b) the Office for Nuclear Regulation.

2B

(1) Each local authority must take such steps as it considers appropriate for improving the health of the people in its area.

(2) The Secretary of State may take such steps as the Secretary of State considers appropriate for improving the health of the people of England.

(3) The steps that may be taken under subsection (1) or (2) include—

(a) providing information and advice;

(b) providing services or facilities designed to promote healthy living (whether by helping individuals to address behaviour that is detrimental to health or in any other way);

(d) providing financial incentives to encourage individuals to adopt healthier lifestyles;

(e) providing assistance (including financial assistance) to help individuals to minimise any risks to health arising from their accommodation or environment;

(f) providing or participating in the provision of training for persons working or seeking to work in the field of health improvement;

(g) making available the services of any person or any facilities.

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