Health Act 1999

31 Arrangements between NHS bodies and local authorities

(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision for or in connection with enabling prescribed NHS bodies (on the one hand) and prescribed local authorities (on the other) to enter into prescribed arrangements in relation to the exercise of—

(a) prescribed functions of the NHS bodies, and

(b) prescribed health-related functions of the local authorities,

if the arrangements are likely to lead to an improvement in the way in which those functions are exercised.

(2) The arrangements which may be prescribed include arrangements—

(a) for or in connection with the establishment and maintenance of a fund—

(i) which is made up of contributions by one or more NHS bodies and one or more local authorities, and

(ii) out of which payments may be made towards expenditure incurred in the exercise of both prescribed functions of the NHS body or bodies and prescribed health-related functions of the authority or authorities,

(b) for or in connection with the exercise by an NHS body on behalf of a local authority of prescribed health-related functions of the authority in conjunction with the exercise by the NHS body of prescribed functions of theirs,

(c) for or in connection with the exercise by a local authority on behalf of an NHS body of prescribed functions of the NHS body in conjunction with the exercise by the authority of prescribed health-related functions of theirs,

(d) as to the provision of staff, goods, services or accommodation in connection with any arrangements mentioned in paragraph (a), (b) or (c),

(e) as to the making of payments by a local authority to an NHS body in connection with any arrangements mentioned in paragraph (b),

(f) as to the making of payments by an NHS body to a local authority in connection with any arrangements mentioned in paragraph (c).

(3) Regulations under this section may make provision—

(a) as to the cases in which NHS bodies and local authorities may enter into prescribed arrangements,

(b) as to the conditions which must be satisfied in relation to prescribed arrangements (including conditions in relation to consultation),

(c) for or in connection with requiring the consent of the Secretary of State to the operation of prescribed arrangements (including provision in relation to applications for consent, the approval or refusal of such applications and the variation or withdrawal of approval),

(d) in relation to the duration of prescribed arrangements,

(e) for or in connection with the variation or termination of prescribed arrangements,

(f) as to the responsibility for, and the operation and management of, prescribed arrangements,

(g) as to the sharing of information between NHS bodies and local authorities.

(4) The provision which may be made by virtue of subsection (3)(f) includes provision in relation to—

(a) the formation and operation of joint committees of NHS bodies and local authorities,

(b) the exercise of functions which are the subject of prescribed arrangements (including provision in relation to the exercise of such functions by joint committees or employees of NHS bodies and local authorities),

(c) the drawing up and implementation of plans in respect of prescribed arrangements,

(d) the monitoring of prescribed arrangements,

(e) the provision of reports on, and information about, prescribed arrangements,

(f) complaints and disputes about prescribed arrangements,

(g) accounts and audit in respect of prescribed arrangements.

(5) Any arrangements made by virtue of this section shall not affect—

(a) the liability of NHS bodies for the exercise of any of their functions,

(b) the liability of local authorities for the exercise of any of their functions, or

(c) any power or duty to recover charges in respect of services provided in the exercise of any local authority functions.

(6) The Secretary of State may issue guidance to NHS bodies and local authorities in relation to consultation or applications for consent in respect of prescribed arrangements.

(7) The reference in subsection (1) to an improvement in the way in which functions are exercised includes an improvement in the provision to any individuals of any services to which those functions relate.

(8) In this section—

• “health-related functions”, in relation to a local authority, means functions of the authority which, in the opinion of the Secretary of State—

  (i)

  have an effect on the health of any individuals,

  (ii)

  have an effect on, or are affected by, any functions of NHS bodies, or

  (iii)

  are connected with any functions of NHS bodies,

• “local authority” means a district council, county council, county borough council, London borough council or the Common Council of the City of London,

• “NHS body” means a Health Authority, Primary Care Trust or NHS trust,

• “prescribed” means prescribed to any extent by regulations made by the Secretary of State.