National Health Service Act 2006

Part 1E+WPromotion and provision of the health service in England

The Secretary of State and the health service in EnglandE+W

[F11Secretary of State's duty to promote comprehensive health serviceE+W

(1)The Secretary of State must continue the promotion in England of a comprehensive health service designed to secure improvement—

(a)in the physical and mental health of the people of England, and

(b)in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of physical and mental illness.

(2)For that purpose, the Secretary of State must exercise the functions conferred by this Act so as to secure that services are provided in accordance with this Act.

(3)The Secretary of State retains ministerial responsibility to Parliament for the provision of the health service in England.

(4)The services provided as part of the health service in England must be free of charge except in so far as the making and recovery of charges is expressly provided for by or under any enactment, whenever passed.]

[F21ADuty as to improvement in quality of servicesE+W

(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

(c)the quality of the experience undergone by patients.

(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.]

[F31BDuty as to the NHS ConstitutionE+W

(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).]

[F41CDuty as to reducing inequalitiesE+W

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.]

F51DDuty as to promoting autonomyE+W

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[F61EDuty as to researchE+W

In exercising functions in relation to the health service, the Secretary of State must [F7facilitate 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.]

[F81FDuty as to education and trainingE+W

(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 [F9and [F10NHS 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,

(c)the Health and Social Care Act 2008,

(d)the Health Act 2009, and

(e)the Health and Social Care Act 2012.]

[F111GSecretary of State's duty as to reporting on and reviewing treatment of providersE+W

(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.]

[F121GASecretary of State’s duty to report on workforce systemsE+W

(1)The Secretary of State must, at least once every five years, publish a report describing the system in place for assessing and meeting the workforce needs of the health service in England.

(2)NHS England F13...must assist in the preparation of a report under this section, if requested to do so by the Secretary of State.]

[F14Role of [F15NHS England] in the health service in EnglandE+W

1H [F15NHS England] and its general functionsE+W

(1)There is to be a body corporate known as [F15NHS England].

(2)[F15NHS 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, [F15NHS 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 [F16integrated care boards] [F17, 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 [F15NHS 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.]

[F18Role of integrated care boards in the health service in EnglandE+W

1IGeneral functions of integrated care boardsE+W

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.]

[F19General power]E+W

[F202.General powerE+W

(1)The Secretary of State may do anything which is calculated to facilitate, or is conducive or incidental to, the discharge of any function conferred on the Secretary of State by this Act.

(2)NHS England or an integrated care board may do anything which is calculated to facilitate, or is conducive or incidental to, the discharge of any of its functions.]

[F21Provision for protection or improvement of public healthE+W

2ASecretary of State's duty as to protection of public healthE+W

(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);

(c)providing vaccination, immunisation or screening services;

(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 [F22a relevant body] has a function.

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

(a)consult the [F23relevant body], and

(b)have regard to its policies.]

[F24(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.]

[F252BFunctions of local authorities and Secretary of State as to improvement of public healthE+W

(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);

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

(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.

(4)The steps that may be taken under subsection (1) also include providing grants or loans (on such terms as the local authority considers appropriate).

(5)In this section, “local authority” means—

(a)a county council in England;

(b)a district council in England, other than a council for a district in a county for which there is a county council;

(c)a London borough council;

(d)the Council of the Isles of Scilly;

(e)the Common Council of the City of London.]

[F26Arrangements for the provision of certain health services]E+W

[F273.Duties of integrated care boards as to commissioning certain health servicesE+W

(1)An integrated care board must arrange for the provision of the following to such extent as it considers necessary to meet the reasonable requirements of the people for whom it has responsibility—

(a)hospital accommodation,

(b)other accommodation for the purpose of any service provided under this Act,

(c)medical services other than primary medical services (for primary medical services, see Part 4),

(d)dental services other than primary dental services (for primary dental services, see Part 5),

(e)ophthalmic services other than primary ophthalmic services (for primary ophthalmic services, see Part 6),

(f)nursing and ambulance services,

(g)such other services or facilities for the care of pregnant women, women who are breastfeeding and young children as the board considers are appropriate as part of the health service,

(h)such other services or facilities for palliative care as the board considers are appropriate as part of the health service,

(i)such other services or facilities for the prevention of illness, the care of persons suffering from illness and the after-care of persons who have suffered from illness as the board considers are appropriate as part of the health service, and

(j)such other services or facilities as are required for the diagnosis and treatment of illness.

(2)For the purposes of this section an integrated care board has responsibility for—

(a)the group of people for whom it has core responsibility (see section 14Z31), and

(b)such other people as may be prescribed (whether generally or in relation to a prescribed service or facility).

(3)The duty imposed on an integrated care board by subsection (1) to arrange for the provision of services or facilities does not apply to the extent that—

(a)NHS England has a duty to arrange for their provision;

(b)another integrated care board has a duty to arrange for their provision by virtue of subsection (2)(b).

(4)In exercising its functions under this section, an integrated care board must act consistently with—

(a)the discharge by the Secretary of State and NHS England of their duty under section 1(1) (duty to promote a comprehensive health service), and

(b)the objectives and requirements for the time being specified in the mandate published under section 13A.

3A.Power of integrated care boards to commission certain health servicesE+W

(1)Each integrated care board may arrange for the provision of such services or facilities as it considers appropriate for the purposes of the health service that relate to securing improvement—

(a)in the physical and mental health of the people for whom it has responsibility, or

(b)in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of illness in those people.

(2)For the purposes of this section an integrated care board has responsibility for—

(a)the group of people for whom it has core responsibility (see section 14Z31), and

(b)such other people as may be prescribed (whether generally or in relation to a prescribed service or facility).

(3)An integrated care board may not arrange for the provision of a service or facility under subsection (1) if NHS England has a duty to arrange for its provision by virtue of section 3B or 4.

(4)In exercising its functions under this section, an integrated care board must act consistently with—

(a)the discharge by the Secretary of State and NHS England of their duty under section 1(1) (duty to promote a comprehensive health service), and

(b)the objectives and requirements for the time being specified in the mandate published under section 13A.]

[F283BSecretary of State's power to require [F29NHS England] to commission servicesE+W

(1)Regulations may require [F15NHS England] to arrange, to such extent as it considers necessary to meet all reasonable requirements, for the provision as part of the health service of—

(a)dental services of a prescribed description;

(b)services or facilities for members of the armed forces or their families;

(c)services or facilities for persons who are detained in a prison or in other accommodation of a prescribed description;

(d)such other services or facilities as may be prescribed.

[F30(2)A service or facility may be prescribed under subsection (1)(d) only if the Secretary of State considers that it would be appropriate for NHS England to arrange for the provision of that service or facility (whether by NHS England making arrangements itself or by giving directions under section 13YB or making arrangements under section 65Z5).]

(3)In deciding whether it would be so appropriate, the Secretary of State must have regard to—

(a)the number of individuals who require the provision of the service or facility;

(b)the cost of providing the service or facility;

(c)the number of persons able to provide the service or facility;

F31(d). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4)Before deciding whether to make regulations under this section, the Secretary of State must—

(a)obtain advice appropriate for that purpose, and

(b)consult [F15NHS England].

[F32(4A)If the Secretary of State refuses a request by NHS England to revoke provision made by regulations under subsection (1)(d) prescribing a service or facility, the Secretary of State must explain why to NHS England.]

(5)The reference in subsection (1)(b) to members of the armed forces is a reference to persons who are members of—

(a)the regular forces within the meaning of the Armed Forces Act 2006, or

(b)the reserve forces within the meaning of that Act.]

4High security psychiatric servicesE+W

(1)[F33[F15NHS England] must arrange for the provision of] hospital accommodation and services for persons who—

(a)are liable to be detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 (c. 20), and

(b)in the opinion of the Secretary of State require treatment under conditions of high security on account of their dangerous, violent or criminal propensities.

(2)The hospital accommodation and services mentioned in subsection (1) are referred to in this section and paragraph 15 of Schedule 4 (NHS trusts) as “high security psychiatric services”.

(3)High security psychiatric services may be provided [F34—

(a)]only at hospital premises at which services are provided only for the persons mentioned in subsection (1)[F35, and

(b)only by a person approved by the Secretary of State for the purposes of this subsection.]

[F36(3A)The Secretary of State may—

(a)give directions to a person who provides high security psychiatric services about the provision by that person of those services;

(b)give directions to [F15NHS England] about the exercise of its functions in relation to high security psychiatric services.]

(4)“Hospital premises” means—

(a)a hospital, or

(b)any part of a hospital which is treated as a separate unit.

5Other servicesE+W

Schedule 1 makes further provision [F37about the provision of services for the purposes of the health service in England].

Provision of services otherwise than in EnglandE+W

6Performance of functions outside EnglandE+W

[F38(1)Where the Secretary of State has a duty or power to provide anything under section 2A or 2B or Schedule 1, that thing may be provided outside England.]

[F39(1A)Where [F40an integrated care board] or [F15NHS England] has a duty or power to arrange for the provision of anything under section 3, 3A, 3B or 4 or Schedule 1, it may arrange for that thing to be provided outside England.]

(2)[F41The functions of the Secretary of State, [F15NHS England] and [F42integrated care boards]] may be performed outside England and Wales, in so far as they relate to—

(a)holidays for patients,

(b)the transfer of patients to or from Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands, or

(c)the return of patients who have received treatment in England and Wales, to countries or territories outside the British Islands (including for this purpose the Republic of Ireland).

F436A.Reimbursement of cost of services provided in another EEA stateE+W

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F446B.Prior authorisation for the purposes of section 6AE+W

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F456BAReimbursement of cost of services provided in another EEA state where expenditure incurred on or after 25 October 2013.E+W

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F466BBPrior authorisation for the purposes of section 6BAE+W

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[F47Regulations as to the exercise of functionsE+W

6CRegulations as to the exercise by local authorities of certain public health functionsE+W

(1)Regulations may require a local authority to exercise any of the public health functions of the Secretary of State (so far as relating to the health of the public in the authority's area) by taking such steps as may be prescribed.

(2)Regulations may require a local authority to exercise its public health functions by taking such steps as may be prescribed.

(3)Where regulations under subsection (1) require a local authority to exercise any of the public health functions of the Secretary of State, the regulations may also authorise or require the local authority to exercise any prescribed functions of the Secretary of State that are exercisable in connection with those functions (including the powers conferred by section 12).

(4)The making of regulations under subsection (1) does not prevent the Secretary of State from taking any step that a local authority is required to take under the regulations.

(5)Any rights acquired, or liabilities (including liabilities in tort) incurred, in respect of the exercise by a local authority of any of its functions under regulations under subsection (1) are enforceable by or against the local authority (and no other person).

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

F486DRegulations relating to EU obligationsE+W

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[F496ERegulations as to the exercise of functions by [F15NHS England] or [F50integrated care boards]E+W

(1)Regulations [F51must] impose requirements (to be known as “standing rules”) in accordance with this section on [F15NHS England] [F52and] on [F53integrated care boards].

[F54(1A)The regulations must make provision as to the arrangements that NHS England and integrated care boards must make, in exercising their commissioning functions, for enabling persons to whom specified treatments or other specified services are to be provided to make choices with respect to specified aspects of them.

(1B)The regulations may make other provision for the purpose of securing that, in exercising their commissioning functions, NHS England and integrated care boards protect and promote the rights of persons to make choices in relation to treatments or other services, where those rights—

(a)arise by virtue of regulations under subsection (1A), or

(b)are described in the NHS Constitution.]

(2)The regulations may, in relation to the commissioning functions of [F15NHS England] or [F55integrated care boards], make provision—

(a)requiring [F15NHS England] or [F55integrated care boards] to arrange for specified treatments or other specified services to be provided or to be provided in a specified manner or within a specified period;

(b)as to the arrangements that [F15NHS England] or [F55integrated care boards] must make for the purpose of making decisions as to—

(i)the treatments or other services that are to be provided;

(ii)the manner in which or period within which specified treatments or other specified services are to be provided;

(iii)the persons to whom specified treatments or other specified services are to be provided;

F56(c). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3)Regulations by virtue of paragraph (b) of subsection (2) may, in particular, make provision—

(a)requiring [F15NHS England] or [F57an integrated care board] to take specified steps before making decisions as to the matters mentioned in that paragraph;

(b)as to reviews of, or appeals from, such decisions.

(4)The regulations may—

(a)specify matters for which provision must be made in commissioning contracts entered into by [F15NHS England] or [F58integrated care boards];

(b)require [F15NHS England] to draft terms and conditions making provision for those matters;

(c)require [F15NHS England] or [F59integrated care boards] to incorporate the terms and conditions drafted by virtue of paragraph (b) in commissioning contracts entered into by [F15NHS England] or (as the case may be) [F59integrated care boards].

(5)The regulations must—

(a)require [F15NHS England] to draft such terms and conditions as [F15NHS England] considers are, or might be, appropriate for inclusion in commissioning contracts entered into by [F15NHS England] or [F60integrated care boards] (other than terms and conditions that [F15NHS England] is required to draft by virtue of subsection (4)(a));

(b)authorise [F15NHS England] to require [F61integrated care boards] to incorporate terms and conditions prepared by virtue of paragraph (a) in their commissioning contracts;

(c)authorise [F15NHS England] to draft model commissioning contracts.

(6)The regulations may require [F15NHS England] to consult prescribed persons before exercising any of its functions by virtue of subsection (4)(b) or (5).

(7)The regulations may require [F15NHS England] or [F62integrated care boards] in the exercise of any of its or their functions—

(a)to provide information of a specified description to specified persons in a specified manner;

F63(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(c)to do such other things as the Secretary of State considers necessary for the purposes of the health service.

(8)The regulations may not impose a requirement on only one [F64integrated care board].

(9)If regulations under this section are made so as to come into force on a day other than 1 April, the Secretary of State must—

(a)publish a statement explaining the reasons for making the regulations so as to come into force on such a day, and

(b)lay the statement before Parliament.

(10)In this section—

(a)“commissioning contracts”, in relation to [F15NHS England] or [F65integrated care boards], means contracts entered into by [F15NHS England] or (as the case may be) [F65integrated care boards] in the exercise of its or their commissioning functions;

(b)“commissioning functions”, in relation to [F15NHS England] or [F66integrated care boards], means the functions of [F15NHS England] or (as the case may be) [F66integrated care boards] in arranging for the provision of services as part of the health service;

(c)“specified” means specified in the regulations.]

[F676FEnforcement of section 6E regulations relating to patient choiceE+W

(1)NHS England may investigate whether an integrated care board has failed or is likely to fail to comply with a requirement imposed by regulations under section 6E(1A) or (1B) (a “patient choice requirement”).

(2)NHS England may direct an integrated care board—

(a)to put in place measures for the purpose of preventing failures to comply with patient choice requirements or mitigating the effect of such failures, or

(b)where an investigation under subsection (1) has been carried out, to remedy a failure to comply with patient choice requirements.

(3)Where an investigation under subsection (1) is being or has been carried out, NHS England may accept from the integrated care board an undertaking that it will take any action falling within subsection (2)(a) or (b) that is specified in the undertaking, within a period that is so specified.

(4)Where NHS England accepts an undertaking under subsection (3), NHS England may not—

(a)continue to carry out any ongoing investigation under subsection (1) so far as relating to matters to which the undertaking relates, or

(b)give a direction under subsection (2) in relation to those matters,

unless the integrated care board fails to comply with the undertaking.

(5)If an integrated care board from which NHS England has accepted an undertaking under subsection (3) complies partially with the undertaking, NHS England must take the partial compliance into account in deciding whether to do something mentioned in subsection (4)(a) or (b).

(6)Schedule 1ZA makes further provision about undertakings.

6GGuidance relating to patient choiceE+W

(1)NHS England must publish guidance about how it intends to exercise powers conferred on it by section 6F and Schedule 1ZA.

(2)Before publishing guidance under this section, NHS England must obtain the approval of the Secretary of State.]

[F68Functions of Special Health Authorities] E+W

7[F68Functions of Special Health Authorities] E+W

[F69(1)The Secretary of State may direct a Special Health Authority to exercise any functions of the Secretary of State or any other person which relate to the health service in England and are specified in the direction.

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

(1B)Before exercising the power in subsection (1) in relation to a function of a person other than the Secretary of State, the Secretary of State must consult that person.

(1C)Regulations may provide that a Special Health Authority specified in the regulations is to have such additional functions in relation to the health service in England as may be so specified.]

F70(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F70(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F71Exercise of Secretary of State's public health functions]E+W

[F727A.Exercise of Secretary of State’s public health functionsE+W

(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,

(c)a local authority (within the meaning of section 2B),

(d)a combined authority, or

[F73(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).]

[F747BDirections requiring NHS bodies to exercise public health functionsE+W

(1)The Secretary of State may by direction provide 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, or

(b)an integrated care board.

(3)A direction under subsection (1) may include provision prohibiting or restricting the relevant body from making delegation arrangements in relation to a function that is exercisable by it by virtue of the direction.

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

(5)The Secretary of State may make payments to a relevant body in respect of the exercise by it of a function by virtue of a direction under subsection (1).

(6)The Secretary of State may give directions to an integrated care board as to the exercise by it of any functions by virtue of this section.

(7)For power to give directions to NHS England as to the exercise of functions, see section 13ZC.

(8)As soon as reasonably practicable after giving a direction under subsection (1) or (6), the Secretary of State must publish it.

(9)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 it (and no other person).

(10)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).]

[F757CPower of direction: investigation functionsE+W

(1)The Secretary of State may direct—

(a)NHS England, or

(b)any other public body,

to exercise any of the investigation functions which are specified in the direction.

(2)A direction under subsection (1) may include provision prohibiting or restricting the body directed from making delegation arrangements in relation to a function that is exercisable by it by virtue of the direction.

(3)In subsection (2) “delegation arrangements” means arrangements made by a person for the exercise of a function by someone else.

(4)The Secretary of State may make payments to NHS England or any other body in respect of the exercise by it of a function by virtue of a direction under subsection (1).

(5)The Secretary of State may give directions to any body on whom functions are conferred by virtue of subsection (1)(b) as to the exercise of those functions.

(6)For power to give directions to NHS England as to the exercise of functions, see section 13ZC.

(7)As soon as reasonably practicable after giving a direction under subsection (1) or (5), the Secretary of State must publish it.

(8)Any rights acquired, or liabilities (including liabilities in tort) incurred, in respect of the exercise by NHS England or any other body of any function by virtue of this section are enforceable by or against it (and no other person).

(9)In this section “the investigation functions” are functions which, immediately before the coming into force of section 36 of the Health and Care Act 2022, were exercised by the Special Health Authority called the National Health Service Trust Development Authority pursuant to—

(a)the National Health Service Trust Development Authority (Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch) Directions 2016 made under sections 7 and 8 of the National Health Service Act 2006, or

(b)the National Health Service Trust Development Authority (Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch) (Additional Investigatory Functions in respect of Maternity Cases) Directions 2018 made under sections 7 and 8 of the National Health Service Act 2006.

7DTransfer schemes in connection with a direction under section 7CE+W

(1)The Secretary of State may, in connection with a direction under section 7C, make one or more transfer schemes.

(2)A “transfer scheme” is a scheme for the transfer to NHS England or any other public body of any property, rights or liabilities relating to the discharge of functions pursuant to any directions made by the Secretary of State under the power conferred by section 7C.

(3)The things that may be transferred under a transfer scheme include—

(a)property, rights and liabilities that could not otherwise be transferred;

(b)property acquired, and rights and liabilities arising, after the making of the scheme;

(c)criminal liabilities.

(4)A transfer scheme may—

(a)create rights, or impose liabilities, in relation to property or rights transferred;

(b)make provision about the continuing effect of things done by, or on behalf of or in relation to the transferor in respect of anything transferred;

(c)make provision about the continuation of things (including legal proceedings) in the process of being done by, on behalf of or in relation to the transferor in respect of anything transferred;

(d)make provision for references to the transferor in an instrument or other document in respect of anything transferred to be treated as references to the transferee;

(e)make provision for the shared ownership or use of property;

(f)make provision which is the same as or similar to the TUPE regulations;

(g)make other consequential, supplementary, incidental or transitional provision.

(5)A transfer scheme may provide—

(a)for modifications by agreement;

(b)for modifications to have effect from the date when the original scheme came into effect.

(6)In subsection (4)(f), “the TUPE regulations” means the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/246).

(7)For the purposes of this section—

(a)references to rights and liabilities include rights and liabilities relating to a contract of employment;

(b)references to the transfer of property include the grant of a lease.

(8)For the purposes of subsection (7)(a)—

(a)an individual who holds employment in the civil service of the State is to be treated as employed by virtue of a contract of employment, and

(b)the terms of the individual’s employment in the civil service are to be regarded as constituting the terms of the contract of employment.

7ETransfer schemes under section 7D: taxationE+W

(1)The Treasury may by regulations make provision varying the way in which a relevant tax has effect in relation to—

(a)anything transferred under a scheme under section 7D, or

(b)anything done for the purposes of, or in relation to, a transfer under such a scheme.

(2)The provision which may be made under subsection (1)(a) includes in particular provision for—

(a)a tax provision not to apply, or to apply with modifications, in relation to anything transferred;

(b)anything transferred to be treated in a specified way for the purposes of a tax provision;

(c)the Secretary of State to be required or permitted to determine, or specify the method for determining, anything which needs to be determined for the purposes of any tax provision so far as relating to anything transferred.

(3)The provision which may be made under subsection (1)(b) includes in particular provision for—

(a)a tax provision not to apply, or to apply with modifications, in relation to anything done for the purposes of or in relation to the transfer;

(b)anything done for the purposes of, or in relation to, the transfer to have or not have a specified consequence or be treated in a specified way;

(c)the Secretary of State to be required or permitted to determine, or specify the method for determining, anything which needs to be determined for the purposes of any tax provision so far as relating to anything done for the purposes of, or in relation to, the transfer.

(4)In this section references to the transfer of property include the grant of a lease.

(5)In this section—

• “relevant tax” means income tax, corporation tax, capital gains tax, value added tax, stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax;

• “tax provision” means a provision of an enactment about a relevant tax.]

[F76Directions to certain NHS bodies]E+W

8Secretary of State's directions to [F77certain] health service bodiesE+W

(1)The Secretary of State may give directions to any of the bodies mentioned in subsection (2) about its exercise of any functions.

(2)The bodies are—

F78(a). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F79(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(c)NHS trusts, and

(d)Special Health Authorities.

(3)Nothing in provision made by or under this or any other Act affects the generality of subsection (1).

NHS contractsE+W

9NHS contractsE+W

(1)In this Act, an NHS contract is an arrangement under which one health service body (“the commissioner”) arranges for the provision to it by another health service body (“the provider”) of goods or services which it reasonably requires for the purposes of its functions.

(2)Section 139(6) (NHS contracts and the provision of local pharmaceutical services under pilot schemes) makes further provision about acting as commissioner for the purposes of subsection (1).

(3)Paragraph 15 of Schedule 4 (NHS trusts and NHS contracts) makes further provision about an NHS trust acting as provider for the purposes of subsection (1).

(4)“Health service body” means any of the following—

[F80(za)[F15NHS England],

[F81(zb)an integrated care board,]]

F82(a). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F83(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(c)an NHS trust,

(d)a Special Health Authority,

(e)a Local Health Board,

(f)a Health Board constituted under section 2 of the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 (c. 29),

[F84(fa)a Special Health Board constituted under that section,]

[F85(g)the Regional Agency for Public Health and Social Well-being,]

(h)the Common Services Agency for the Scottish Health Service,

(i)the Wales Centre for Health,

F86(j). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F87(k)the Care Quality Commission,]

[F88(ka)NICE,]

F89(kb). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F90(kc). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F91(kd)the Health Services Safety Investigations Body,]

(l)the Scottish Dental Practice Board,

(m)the Secretary of State,

(n)the Welsh Ministers,

[F92(na)the Scottish Ministers,

(nb)Healthcare Improvement Scotland,]

[F93(o)the Regional Business Services Organisation,]

(p)a special health and social services agency established under the Health and Personal Social Services (Special Agencies) (Northern Ireland) Order 1990 (S.I. 1990/247 (N.I.3)),

(q)a [F94Health and Social Care trust] trust established under the Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1991 (S.I. 1991/194 (N.I.1)),

(r)the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety.

(5)Whether or not an arrangement which constitutes an NHS contract would apart from this subsection be a contract in law, it must not be regarded for any purpose as giving rise to contractual rights or liabilities.

(6)But if any dispute arises with respect to such an arrangement, either party may refer the matter to the Secretary of State for determination under this section.

(7)If, in the course of negotiations intending to lead to an arrangement which will be an NHS contract, it appears to a health service body—

(a)that the terms proposed by another health service body are unfair by reason that the other is seeking to take advantage of its position as the only, or the only practicable, provider of the goods or services concerned or by reason of any other unequal bargaining position as between the prospective parties to the proposed arrangement, or

(b)that for any other reason arising out of the relative bargaining position of the prospective parties any of the terms of the proposed arrangement cannot be agreed,

that health service body may refer the terms of the proposed arrangement to the Secretary of State for determination under this section.

(8)Where a reference is made to the Secretary of State under subsection (6) or (7), he may determine the matter himself or appoint a person to consider and determine it in accordance with regulations.

(9)“The appropriate person” means the Secretary of State or the person appointed under subsection (8).

(10)By the determination of a reference under subsection (7) the appropriate person may specify terms to be included in the proposed arrangement and may direct that it be proceeded with.

(11)A determination of a reference under subsection (6) may contain such directions (including directions as to payment) as the appropriate person considers appropriate to resolve the matter in dispute.

(12)The appropriate person may by the determination in relation to an NHS contract vary the terms of the arrangement or bring it to an end (but this does not affect the generality of the power of determination under subsection (6)).

(13)Where an arrangement is so varied or brought to an end—

(a)subject to paragraph (b), the variation or termination must be treated as being effected by agreement between the parties, and

(b)the directions included in the determination by virtue of subsection (11) may contain such provisions as the appropriate person considers appropriate in order to give effect to the variation or to bring the arrangement to an end.

10Provision for bodies in Northern IrelandE+W

(1)Subsection (2) applies where [F95the Regional Agency for Public Health and Social Well-being] or a body mentioned in paragraph (o), (p), (q) or (r) of section 9(4) is a party or prospective party to an arrangement or proposed arrangement which—

(a)falls within the definition of NHS contract in section 9(1), and

(b)also falls within the definition of HSS contract in Article 8 of the Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1991 (S.I. 1991/194 (N.I.1)).

(2)Subsections (5) to (13) of section 9 apply in relation to the arrangement or proposed arrangement with the substitution for references to the Secretary of State of references to the Secretary of State and the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety acting jointly.

[F9610AProvision for bodies in ScotlandE+W

(1)Subsection (2) applies where the Scottish Ministers are, or a body mentioned in paragraph (f), (fa), (h), (l) or (nb) of section 9(4) is, a party or prospective party to an arrangement or proposed arrangement which—

(a)falls within the definition of NHS contract in section 9(1), and

(b)also falls within the definition of NHS contract in section 17A of the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978.

(2)Subsections (5) to (13) of section 9 apply in relation to the arrangement or proposed arrangement (except in so far as it relates to reserved matters within the meaning of the Scotland Act 1998) with the substitution for references to the Secretary of State of references to the Secretary of State and the Scottish Ministers acting jointly.

(3)Subsection (4) applies (and subsection (2) does not apply) where a cross-border Special Health authority is a party or prospective party to an arrangement or proposed arrangement which—

(a)falls within the definition of NHS contract in section 9(1), and

(b)also falls within the definition of NHS contract in section 17A of the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 and the definition of NHS contract in section 7(1) of the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006.

(4)Subsections (5) to (13) of section 9 apply in relation to that arrangement or proposed arrangement (except in so far as it relates to reserved matters within the meaning of the Scotland Act 1998) with the substitution for references to the Secretary of State—

(a)where the cross-border Special Health Authority is exercising functions in relation to England only, of references to the Secretary of State and the Scottish Ministers acting jointly; and

(b)where the Authority is exercising functions in relation to England and Wales, of references to the Secretary of State and the Welsh Ministers acting concurrently with each other and jointly with the Scottish Ministers.

(5)In subsections (3) and (4), “cross-border Special Health Authority” means a Special Health Authority which is established under the National Health Service Act 2006 and the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006 by virtue of—

(a)paragraph 1(2) of Schedule 2 to the National Health Service (Consequential Provisions) Act 2006, or

(b)the power under section 28 of the National Health Service Act 2006 and the power under section 22 of the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006 being exercised together.]

11Arrangements to be treated as NHS contractsE+W

(1)This section applies to any arrangement under which [F97[F15NHS England],] F98... F99... or such other health service body as may be prescribed arrange for the provision to it—

(a)by a contractor under a general ophthalmic services contract,

(b)by a person on an ophthalmic list,

(c)by a person on a pharmaceutical list, or

(d)by a person who has entered into a pharmaceutical care services contract under section 17Q of the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 (c. 29),

of the goods or services mentioned in subsection (2).

(2)The goods or services are those that the body reasonably requires for the purposes of its functions, other than functions under—

(a)section 115 (primary ophthalmic services),

(b)Chapter 1 or 2 of Part 7 (pharmaceutical services and local pharmaceutical services under pilot schemes), or

(c)Part 6 of, or Chapter 1 or 2 of Part 7 of, the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006 (c. 42) (general ophthalmic services and pharmaceutical services and local pharmaceutical services under pilot schemes).

(3)Any such arrangement must be treated as an NHS contract for the purposes of section 9 (other than subsections (7) and (10)).

(4)“Health service body” means a body which is a health service body for the purposes of section 9.

(5)“Ophthalmic list” means a list published in accordance with regulations made under—

(a)section 72(1)(a) of the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006,

(b)section 26(2)(a) of the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978, or

(c)Article 62(2)(a) of the Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1972 (S.I. 1972/1265 (N.I.14)).

(6)The reference to a list published in accordance with regulations made under paragraph (a) of section 26(2) of the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 is a reference to the first part of the list (referred to in sub-paragraph (i) of that paragraph) which is published in accordance with regulations under that paragraph.

(7)“Pharmaceutical list” includes a list published in accordance with regulations made under—

(a)section 83(2)(a) of the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006, or

(b)Article 63(2A)(a) of the Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1972.

[F100Arrangements with other bodies]E+W

12Secretary of State's arrangements with other bodiesE+W

(1)The Secretary of State may arrange with any person or body to provide, or assist in providing, [F101anything which the Secretary of State has a duty or power to provide, or arrange for the provision of, under section 2A or 2B or Schedule 1].

[F102(2)The bodies with whom arrangements may be made under subsection (1) include—

(a)[F15NHS England],

(b)[F103integrated care boards,]

(c)any other public authorities, and

(d)voluntary organisations.]

[F104(3)The Secretary of State may make available any facilities provided by the Secretary of State under section 2A or 2B or Schedule 1 to any service provider or to any eligible voluntary organisation.

(3A)In subsection (3)—

• “eligible voluntary organisation” means a voluntary organisation eligible for assistance under section 64 or section 65 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968;

• “service provider” means a person or body with whom the Secretary of State has made an arrangement under subsection (1).]

(4)Where facilities are made available under subsection (3), the Secretary of State may make available the services of any person employed in connection with the facilities by—

(a)the Secretary of State,

[F105(aa)[F15NHS England],

[F106(ab)an integrated care board,]

(ac)a local authority,]

F107(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F108(c). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(d)a Special Health Authority, or

(e)a Local Health Board.

[F109(4A)In subsection (4), “local authority” has the same meaning as in section 2B.]

(5)Powers under this section may be exercised on such terms as may be agreed, including terms as to the making of payments by or to the Secretary of State.

(6)Goods or materials may be made available either temporarily or permanently.

(7)Any power to supply goods or materials under this section includes—

(a)a power to purchase and store them, and

(b)a power to arrange with third parties for the supply of goods or materials by those third parties.

[F11012ZACommissioning arrangements by [F15NHS England] or [F111integrated care boards]E+W

(1)This section applies in relation to arrangements made by [F15NHS England] or [F112an integrated care board] in the exercise of functions under section 3, 3A, 3B or 4 or Schedule 1.

(2)The arrangements may be made with any person or body (including public authorities and voluntary organisations).

[F113(2A)The arrangements may confer discretions on a person with whom they are made in relation to anything to be provided under the arrangements.]

(3)If [F15NHS England] or [F114an integrated care board] arranges for the provision of facilities by a service provider, it may also make arrangements for those facilities to be made available to another service provider or to an eligible voluntary organisation.

(4)[F15NHS England] or [F115an integrated care board] may make available any of its facilities to—

(a)a service provider, or

(b)an eligible voluntary organisation.

(5)Where facilities are made available under subsection (4) any of the following persons may make available the services of any employee of that person who is employed in connection with the facilities—

(a)the Secretary of State,

(b)[F15NHS England],

[F116(c)an integrated care board,]

(d)a Special Health Authority, or

(e)a Local Health Board.

(6)Goods or materials may be made available under this section either temporarily or permanently.

(7)Any power to supply goods or materials under this section includes—

(a)a power to purchase or store them, and

(b)a power to arrange with third parties for the supply of goods or materials by those third parties.

(8)Powers under this section may be exercised on such terms as may be agreed, including terms as to the making of payments.

(9)In this section—

• “eligible voluntary organisation” means a voluntary organisation eligible for assistance under section 64 or section 65 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968;

• “service provider” means a person or body with whom [F15NHS England] or [F117an integrated care board] has made arrangements in the exercise of the functions mentioned in subsection (1).]

[F118ProcurementE+W

12ZBProcurement regulationsE+W

(1)Regulations may make provision in relation to the processes to be followed and objectives to be pursued by relevant authorities in the procurement of—

(a)health care services for the purposes of the health service in England, and

(b)other goods or services that are procured together with those health care services.

(2)Regulations under subsection (1) must include provision specifying steps to be taken when following a competitive tendering process.

(3)Regulations under subsection (1) must, in relation to the procurement of all health care services to which they apply, make provision for the purposes of—

(a)ensuring transparency;

(b)ensuring fairness;

(c)ensuring that compliance can be verified;

(d)managing conflicts of interest.

(4)NHS England must publish such guidance as it considers appropriate about compliance with the regulations.

(5)A relevant authority must have regard to guidance published under this section.

(6)Before publishing guidance under this section, NHS England must obtain the approval of the Secretary of State.

(7)In this section—

• “health care service” has the same meaning as in Part 3 of the Health and Social Care Act 2012 (see section 150 of that Act);

• “relevant authority” means—

  (a)

  a combined authority;

  (aa)

  [F119a combined county authority;]

  (c)

  an integrated care board;

  (d)

  a local authority in England;

  (e)

  NHS England;

  (f)

  an NHS foundation trust;

  (g)

  an NHS trust established under section 25.

[F12012ZCEradicating slavery and human trafficking in supply chainsE+W

(1)The Secretary of State must by regulations make such provision as the Secretary of State thinks appropriate with a view to eradicating the use in the health service in England of goods or services that are tainted by slavery and human trafficking.

(2)The regulations may, in particular, include—

(a)provision in connection with the processes to be followed by public bodies in the procurement of goods or services for the purposes of the health service in England (including provision as to circumstances in which a supplier is excluded from consideration for the award of a contract);

(b)provision as to steps that must be taken by public bodies for assessing and addressing the risk of slavery and human trafficking taking place in relation to people involved in health service supply chains;

(c)provision as to matters for which provision must be made in contracts for goods or services entered into by public bodies for the purposes of the health service in England.

(3)In this section—

• “health service supply chains” means supply chains for providing goods or services for the purposes of the health service in England;

• “public body” means a body exercising functions of a public nature;

• “slavery and human trafficking” has the meaning given by section 54(12) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015;

• “tainted”: goods or services are “tainted” by slavery and human trafficking if slavery and human trafficking takes place in relation to anyone involved in the supply chain for providing those goods or services.]

[F121Direct payments for health careE+W

12ADirect payments for health careE+W

(1)The Secretary of State [F122, [F15NHS England], [F123an integrated care board] or a local authority] may, for the purpose of securing the provision to a patient of anything to which this subsection applies, make payments, with the patient's consent, to the patient or to a person nominated by the patient.

(2)Subsection (1) applies to—

[F124(a)anything that the Secretary of State or a local authority has a duty or power to provide or arrange under section 2A or 2B or Schedule 1;]

[F125(aa)anything that [F15NHS England] or [F126an integrated care board] may or must arrange for the provision of under this Act or any other enactment.]

F127(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F127(c). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3)Subsection (1) is subject to any provision made by regulations under section 12B.

(4)If regulations so provide, [F128an integrated care board] may, for the purpose of securing the provision for a patient of services that [F129the board] must provide under section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983 (after-care), make payments, with the patient's consent, to the patient or to a person nominated by the patient [F130; and the references in this subsection to [F128an integrated care board] are, so far as necessary for the purposes of regulations under subsection (2E) of that section, to be read as references to [F15NHS England].]

(5)A payment under subsection (1) F131... is referred to in this Part as a “direct payment”.

F132(6). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F133(7)In this section and sections 12B to 12D, “local authority” has the same meaning as in section 2B.]

12BRegulations about direct paymentsE+W

(1)The Secretary of State may make regulations about direct payments.

(2)The regulations may in particular make provision—

(a)as to circumstances in which, and descriptions of persons and services in respect of which, direct payments may or must be made;

(b)as to circumstances in which direct payments may or must be made to a person nominated by the patient;

(c)as to the making of direct payments (and, in particular, as to persons to whom payments may or must be made) where the patient lacks capacity to consent to the making of the payments;

(d)as to conditions that the Secretary of State [F134, [F15NHS England], [F135an integrated care board] or a local authority] must comply with before, after or at the time of making a direct payment;

(e)as to conditions that the patient or (if different) the payee may or must be required to comply with before, after, or at the time when a direct payment is made;

(f)as to the amount of any direct payment or how it is to be calculated;

(g)as to circumstances in which the Secretary of State [F136, [F15NHS England], [F137an integrated care board] or a local authority] may or must stop making direct payments;

(h)as to circumstances in which the Secretary of State [F138, [F15NHS England], [F139an integrated care board] or a local authority] may or must require all or part of a direct payment to be repaid, by the payee or otherwise;

(i)as to monitoring of the making of direct payments, of their use by the payee, or of services which they are used to secure;

(j)as to arrangements to be made by the Secretary of State [F140, [F15NHS England], [F141an integrated care board] or a local authority] for providing patients, payees or their representatives with information, advice or other support in connection with direct payments;

(k)for such support to be treated to any prescribed extent as a service in respect of which direct payments may be made.

(3)If the regulations make provision in the case of a person who lacks capacity to consent to direct payments being made, they may apply that provision, or make corresponding provision, with or without modifications, in the case of a person who has lacked that capacity but no longer does so (whether because of fluctuating capacity, or regaining or gaining capacity).

(4)The regulations may provide for a sum which must be repaid to the Secretary of State [F142, [F15NHS England], [F143an integrated care board] or a local authority] by virtue of a condition or other requirement imposed by or under the regulations to be recoverable as a debt due to the Secretary of State [F144[F15NHS England], a clinical commissioning group or a local authority (as the case may be)].

(5)The regulations may make provision—

(a)for a service in respect of which a direct payment has been made under section 12A(1) to be regarded, only to such extent and subject to such conditions as may be prescribed, as provided or arranged for by the Secretary of State [F145or a local authority or as arranged for by [F15NHS England] or [F146an integrated care board] (as the case may be)] under an enactment mentioned in section 12A(2);

(b)displacing functions or obligations of [F147[F15NHS England], [F148an integrated care board] or a local authority with respect to the arrangement for the provision of] after-care services under section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983, only to such extent and subject to such conditions as may be prescribed.

(6)In this section—

(a)“service” includes anything in respect of which direct payments may be made;

(b)references to a person lacking capacity are references to a person lacking capacity within the meaning of the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

12CDirect payments pilot schemesE+W

F149(1). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F149(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F149(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F149(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5)Provision as to the review of a pilot scheme may in particular include provision—

(a)for a review to be carried out by an independent person;

(b)for publication of the findings of a review;

(c)as to matters to be considered on a review.

(6)Those matters may in particular include any of the following—

(a)the administration of the scheme;

(b)the effect of direct payments on the cost or quality of care received by patients;

(c)the effect of direct payments on the behaviour of patients, carers or persons providing services in respect of which direct payments are made.

(7)After any review of one or more pilot schemes, the Secretary of State may make an order under subsection (8) or (10).

(8)An order under this subsection is an order making provision for either or both of the following—

(a)repealing section 12A(6) and subsections (1) to (4) of this section;

(b)amending, repealing, or otherwise modifying any other provision of this Act.

(9)An order may make provision within subsection (8)(b) only if it appears to the Secretary of State to be necessary or expedient for the purpose of facilitating the exercise of the powers conferred by section 12A(1) or by regulations under section 12A(4).

(10)An order under this subsection is an order repealing sections 12A, 12B, 12D and this section.

12DArrangements with other bodies relating to direct paymentsE+W

(1)The Secretary of State [F150, [F15NHS England], [F151an integrated care board] or a local authority] may arrange with any person or body to give assistance in connection with direct payments.

(2)Arrangements may be made under subsection (1) with voluntary organisations.

(3)Powers under this section may be exercised on such terms as may be agreed, including terms as to the making of payments by the Secretary of State [F152, [F15NHS England], [F153an integrated care board] or a local authority].]

[F154MiscellaneousE+W

12ESecretary of State's duty as respects variation in provision of health servicesE+W

(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.

[F155(2)The functions mentioned in this subsection are the functions of the Secretary of State under—

(a)section 6E;

(b)section 12ZB;

(c)section 13A.]]

[F15612FExpected mental health spendingE+W

(1)The Secretary of State must, in respect of each financial year, publish and lay before Parliament a document—

(a)stating, by comparison with the previous financial year—

(i)whether the Secretary of State expects there to be an increase in the amount of expenditure incurred by NHS England and integrated care boards (taken together) in relation to mental health, and

(ii)whether the Secretary of State expects there to be an increase in the proportion of the expenditure incurred by NHS England and integrated care boards (taken together) that relates to mental health, and

(b)explaining why.

(2)The Secretary of State must publish and lay the document before the financial year to which it relates.]]