National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978

Co-operation and assistance

13Co-operation between Health Boards and other authorities

In exercising their respective functions, Health Boards, local authorities and education authorities shall co-operate with one another in order to secure and advance the health of the people of Scotland.

14Designated medical officers

(1)Every Health Board shall, in accordance with regulations, designate a medical officer or officers of the Board for the purpose of exercising such functions on behalf of local authorities as may be assigned to him by or under any enactment and such other functions as local authorities may, with the agreement of the Health Board, assign to him.

(2)Any such medical officer shall, in any enactment, be known as " the designated medical officer ".

(3)A designated medical officer may exercise any powers conferred by any enactment on an authorised officer of a local authority if the local authority authorises him in writing to do so.

(4)A designated medical officer may appoint one or more persons approved by the Board to act as his depute or deputes, and all things required or authorised by law to be done by or to the designated medical officer may be done by or to any depute so appointed by him; and any reference in any enactment or instrument made under any enactment to the designated medical officer shall, where the depute is acting for the officer, include a reference to the depute.

15Supply of goods and services to local authorities, etc.

(1)The Secretary of State, a Health Board or the Agency may—

(a)purchase and store and, on such terms and conditions as may be agreed, supply to persons providing general medical, general dental or general ophthalmic services, or pharmaceutical services under Part II such equipment, goods or materials as may be prescribed;

(b)purchase and store and, on such terms and conditions as may be agreed, supply to local authorities, education authorities, government departments and such public bodies or classes of public bodies as may be determined by the Secretary of State, any equipment, goods or materials of a kind used in the health service ;

(c)provide local authorities and education authorities, on such terms and conditions as may be agreed, with any administrative, professional or other services of persons employed by the Secretary of State, a Health Board or the Agency;

(d)permit local authorities and education authorities, on such terms and conditions as may be agreed, to use premises occupied for the purposes of the health service;

(e)permit local authorities and education authorities, on such terms and conditions as may be agreed, to use any vehicle, plant or apparatus belonging to a Health Board or the Agency ;

(f)permit education authorities, on such terms and conditions as may be agreed, and for the purpose of providing special education within the meaning of section 5 of the [1962 c. 47.] Education (Scotland) Act 1962, to use any premises or facilities provided under section 36;

(g)carry out, on such terms and conditions as may be agreed, maintenance work in connection with land or buildings for the maintenance of which a local authority or education authority is responsible.

(2)In paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (1), the power to supply equipment, goods and materials includes a power to make arrangements with third parties for the supply by them of those things.

(3)The Secretary of State may by order provide that, in relation to a vehicle which is made available by him in pursuance of this section and is used in accordance with the terms on which it is so available, the [1971 c. 10.] Vehicles (Excise) Act 1971 and Part VI of the [1972 c. 20.] Road Traffic Act 1972 shall have effect with such modifications as are specified in the order.

16Assistance to voluntary organisations

(1)The Secretary of State may assist any voluntary organisation whose activities include the provision of a service similar or related to a service provided under this Act by permitting them to use premises belonging to him on such terms as may be agreed, and by making available goods, materials, vehicles or equipment (whether by way of gift, loan or otherwise) and the services of any staff who are employed in connection with the premises or other things which he permits the organisation to use.

(2)The Secretary of State may by order provide that, in relation to a vehicle which is made available by him in pursuance of this section and is used in accordance with the terms on which it is so available, the Vehicles (Excise) Act 1971 and Part VI of the Road Traffic Act 1972 shall have effect with such modifications as are specified in the order.

(3)In this section, " voluntary organisation " means a body the activities of which are carried on otherwise than for profit, but does not include any public or local authority.

17Furnishing of overseas aid by Health Boards and the Agency

(1)Any Health Board and the Agency shall each have power—

(a)with the consent of the Secretary of State, to enter into, and carry out, agreements with the appropriate Minister under which they act, at the expense of that Minister, as the instrument by means of which technical assistance is furnished by him in exercise of the power conferred on him by section 1 (1) of the [1966 c. 21.] Overseas Aid Act 1966; and

(b)with the consent of the Secretary of State and the appropriate Minister, to enter into and carry out agreements under which they furnish to any authority or person outside the United Kingdom, on such terms as to payment as may be agreed, technical or any other assistance, other than financial, for any purpose mentioned in the said section 1(1).

(2)In this section " appropriate Minister " means the Minister for the time being discharging the functions expressed by the said Act of 1966 to be conferred on the Minister of Overseas Development.