The Public Services Reform (Functions of the Common Services Agency for the Scottish Health Service) (Scotland) Order 2013

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

By virtue of section 10 of the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 (“the 1978 Act”), the Common Services Agency of the Scottish Health Service undertakes a variety of functions delegated to it by the Scottish Ministers, and referred to it from Health Boards by the Scottish Ministers. It also has power to provide services to, and carry out tasks for bodies associated with the health service in Scotland.

In addition, by virtue of section 15 of the 1978 Act, the Agency has functions of supplying certain goods and services to other bodies including local authorities and government departments.

This Order expressly recognises that section 15 confers functions on the Agency, and extends the range of bodies in relation to which the Agency can exercise those functions so as to—

(a) enable the Agency to purchase and store and supply equipment, goods and materials to the Scottish Ministers;

(b) extend the types of equipment, goods and materials which it may purchase and supply to others;

(c) extend the range of public bodies to which the Agency may provide services (subject to the agreement of the Scottish Ministers);

(d) extend the range of public bodies which the Agency may permit to use premises occupied for the purposes of the health service;

(e) extend the range of public bodies which the Agency may permit to use any vehicle, plant or apparatus belonging to it; and

(f) extend the range of public bodies for which the Agency may carry out maintenance work in connection with land or buildings.

The power of the Agency to enter into agreements to supply services under section 15(1)(c) and (2A)(c) is subject to the agreement of the Scottish Ministers.

A Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment has not been prepared for this instrument as it has no impact on the costs of business.