National Health Service Act 2006

[F1 Provision for protection or improvement of public health E+W

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 2A and cross-heading inserted (1.4.2013) by Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), ss. 11, 306(4); S.I. 2013/160, art. 2(2) (with arts. 7-9)

2A Secretary of State's duty as to protection of public health E+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 [F2 a relevant body] has a function.

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

(a) consult the [F3 relevant body], and

(b) have regard to its policies.]

[F4 (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.]

Textual Amendments

F2 Words in s. 2A(3)(b) substituted (1.4.2014) by Energy Act 2013 (c. 32), s. 156(1), Sch. 12 para. 91(a); S.I. 2014/251, art. 4

F3 Words in s. 2A(4)(a) substituted (1.4.2014) by Energy Act 2013 (c. 32), s. 156(1), Sch. 12 para. 91(b); S.I. 2014/251, art. 4

F4 S. 2A(5) inserted (1.4.2014) by Energy Act 2013 (c. 32), s. 156(1), Sch. 12 para. 91(c); S.I. 2014/251, art. 4

[F5 2B Functions of local authorities and Secretary of State as to improvement of public health E+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.]

Textual Amendments

F5 S. 2B inserted (1.4.2013) by Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), ss. 12, 306(4); S.I. 2013/160, art. 2(2) (with arts. 7-9)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 2B(1) functions made exercisable concurrently (30.11.2017) by The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (Public Health Functions) Order 2017 (S.I. 2017/1180), arts. 1, 3