Section 18: Co-operation between health bodies and other organisations
114.Section 18 allows the relevant authority to make regulations to require organisations (“responsible bodies”) described in the regulations to co-operate, by sharing intelligence and coordinating action, in order to ensure the safe management of controlled drugs and to safeguard patients from harm. The intention is that the duty to co-operate would be applied to all bodies required to appoint an accountable officer under section 17, to police forces, to local authorities, and to regulatory bodies with inspection rights such as the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, the Healthcare Commission and the Commission for Social Care Inspection.
115.Subsection (1) sets out the power to make regulations for requiring organisations described in the regulations to co-operate and describes in broad terms the areas to be covered by the duty of co-operation. Subsections (2) to (4) specify the types of body to which the duty would apply ie. bodies that are concerned with the provision of healthcare, or carry on activities that involve the supply or administration of controlled drugs. Subsections (5) to (7) give examples of the requirements as to co-operation that may be included in the regulations, including the circumstances in which the duty to disclose information to other organisations could be triggered (subsection (5)(a)) and the duties which may be imposed on the accountable officer of the bodies concerned to make recommendations for action (subsection (6)) including recommendations relating to disciplinary action (subsection (7)).