- Latest available (Revised)
- Original (As enacted)
National Health Service Act 2006
You are here:
What Version
Advanced Features
- Show Geographical Extent(e.g. England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland)
- Show Timeline of Changes
Opening Options
Changes over time for: Section 56
Changes to legislation:
National Health Service Act 2006, Section 56 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 27 February 2025. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.
Changes to Legislation
Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. Changes and effects are recorded by our editorial team in lists which can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area. Where those effects have yet to be applied to the text of the legislation by the editorial team they are also listed alongside the legislation in the affected provisions. Use the ‘more’ link to open the changes and effects relevant to the provision you are viewing.
Changes and effects yet to be applied to Section 56:
- s. 3B(1)(aa) inserted by 2022 c. 31 Sch. 3 para. 2(b)
- s. 3B(1)(za) inserted by 2022 c. 31 Sch. 3 para. 2(a)
- s. 13G(4) words omitted by virtue of 2012 c. 7, Sch. 14 para. 4A (as inserted) by 2014 c. 23 s. 120(18)(a)
- s. 35(3A)(3B) inserted by 2012 c. 7 s. 159(4)
- s. 40(4)-(4B) substituted for s. 40(4) by 2012 c. 7 Sch. 14 para. 5
- s. 42(1A) inserted by 2012 c. 7 Sch. 14 para. 6
- s. 56(1)(b) words omitted by 2012 c. 7 Sch. 14 para. 8(a)
- s. 56(1A) words omitted by 2012 c. 7 Sch. 14 para. 8(b)
- s. 65F(2A)-(2F) inserted by 2012 c. 7 Sch. 14 para. 15(4) (This amendment is itself amended before it comes into force by 2014 c. 23, ss. 85(15), 120(18)(b)(c), 127(1); S.I. 2014/1714, art. 3(2)(b)(c))
- s. 65H(10A) inserted by 2012 c. 7 Sch. 14 para. 17(4)
- s. 82A-83A and cross-heading substituted for s. 83 and cross-heading by 2022 c. 31 Sch. 3 para. 3
- s. 84(4)-(4B) substituted for s. 84(4) by 2022 c. 31 Sch. 3 para. 4(4)
- s. 92(5A) inserted by 2022 c. 31 Sch. 3 para. 9(4)
- s. 94(3)(ca)(cb) substituted for s. 94(3)(ca) by 2022 c. 31 Sch. 3 para. 11(3)
- s. 98A 98B substituted for s. 98A by 2022 c. 31 Sch. 3 para. 14
- s. 98BC-99B and cross-heading substituted for s. 99 and cross-heading by 2022 c. 31 Sch. 3 para. 15
- s. 100(3A)(3B) inserted by 2022 c. 31 Sch. 3 para. 16(4)
- s. 109(3)(ca)(cb) substituted for s. 109(3)(ca) by 2022 c. 31 Sch. 3 para. 23(3)
- s. 112(1)(za) inserted by 2022 c. 31 Sch. 3 para. 24(2)(b)
- s. 114A 114B substituted for s. 114A by 2022 c. 31 Sch. 3 para. 26
- s. 114C and cross-heading inserted by 2022 c. 31 Sch. 3 para. 27
- s. 116A 116B and cross-heading inserted by 2022 c. 31 Sch. 3 para. 30
- s. 117(4)(4A) substituted for s. 117(4) by 2022 c. 31 Sch. 3 para. 31(4)
- s. 125A 125B substituted for s. 125A by 2022 c. 31 Sch. 3 para. 39
- s. 223C(1)(c)(d) inserted by 2022 c. 31 s. 28
- s. 223LA inserted by 2022 c. 31 s. 30(3)
- Sch. 15 para. 4(1)(b) and word omitted by 2012 c. 7 Sch. 14 para. 39(3)
Changes and effects yet to be applied to the whole Act associated Parts and Chapters:
Whole provisions yet to be inserted into this Act (including any effects on those provisions):
- s. 3B(1)(aa) inserted by 2022 c. 31 Sch. 3 para. 2(b)
- s. 3B(1)(za) inserted by 2022 c. 31 Sch. 3 para. 2(a)
- s. 13G(4) words omitted by virtue of 2012 c. 7, Sch. 14 para. 4A (as inserted) by 2014 c. 23 s. 120(18)(a)
- s. 35(3A)(3B) inserted by 2012 c. 7 s. 159(4)
- s. 40(4)-(4B) substituted for s. 40(4) by 2012 c. 7 Sch. 14 para. 5
- s. 42(1A) inserted by 2012 c. 7 Sch. 14 para. 6
- s. 65F(2A)-(2F) inserted by 2012 c. 7 Sch. 14 para. 15(4) (This amendment is itself amended before it comes into force by 2014 c. 23, ss. 85(15), 120(18)(b)(c), 127(1); S.I. 2014/1714, art. 3(2)(b)(c))
- s. 65H(10A) inserted by 2012 c. 7 Sch. 14 para. 17(4)
- s. 82A-83A and cross-heading substituted for s. 83 and cross-heading by 2022 c. 31 Sch. 3 para. 3
- s. 84(4)-(4B) substituted for s. 84(4) by 2022 c. 31 Sch. 3 para. 4(4)
- s. 92(5A) inserted by 2022 c. 31 Sch. 3 para. 9(4)
- s. 94(3)(ca)(cb) substituted for s. 94(3)(ca) by 2022 c. 31 Sch. 3 para. 11(3)
- s. 98A 98B substituted for s. 98A by 2022 c. 31 Sch. 3 para. 14
- s. 98BC-99B and cross-heading substituted for s. 99 and cross-heading by 2022 c. 31 Sch. 3 para. 15
- s. 100(3A)(3B) inserted by 2022 c. 31 Sch. 3 para. 16(4)
- s. 109(3)(ca)(cb) substituted for s. 109(3)(ca) by 2022 c. 31 Sch. 3 para. 23(3)
- s. 112(1)(za) inserted by 2022 c. 31 Sch. 3 para. 24(2)(b)
- s. 114A 114B substituted for s. 114A by 2022 c. 31 Sch. 3 para. 26
- s. 114C and cross-heading inserted by 2022 c. 31 Sch. 3 para. 27
- s. 116A 116B and cross-heading inserted by 2022 c. 31 Sch. 3 para. 30
- s. 117(4)(4A) substituted for s. 117(4) by 2022 c. 31 Sch. 3 para. 31(4)
- s. 125A 125B substituted for s. 125A by 2022 c. 31 Sch. 3 para. 39
- s. 223C(1)(c)(d) inserted by 2022 c. 31 s. 28
- s. 223LA inserted by 2022 c. 31 s. 30(3)
- Sch. 15 para. 4(1)(b) and word omitted by 2012 c. 7 Sch. 14 para. 39(3)
56MergersE+W
(1)An application may be made jointly by—
(a)an NHS foundation trust, and
(b)another NHS foundation trust or an NHS trust [F1established under section 25],
to [F2NHS England] for [F3the dissolution of the trusts and the establishment of a new NHS foundation trust.]
[F4(1A)An application under this section may be made only with the approval of more than half of the members of the council of governors of each applicant (that is an NHS foundation trust).]
(2)The application must—
F5(a). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b)specify the property and liabilities proposed to be transferred to the new NHS foundation trust,
(c)F6...and
(d)be accompanied by a copy of the proposed constitution of the new trust,
F7...
F8(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[F9(4)NHS England must grant the application if—
(a)it is satisfied that such steps as are necessary to prepare for the dissolution of the trusts and the establishment of the new trust have been taken, and
(b)the Secretary of State approves the grant of the application,
and must otherwise refuse the application.]
F10(5). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F10(6). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F10(7). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F10(8). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F10(9). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F10(10). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(11)[F11On the grant of the application], the proposed constitution of the NHS foundation trust has effect, but the directors of the applicants may exercise the functions of the trust on its behalf until a board of directors is appointed in accordance with the constitution.
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 56(1)(b) inserted (1.4.2013) by Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), ss. 168(1)(a), 306(4); S.I. 2013/671, art. 2(3)
F2Words in s. 56(1) substituted (1.7.2022) by Health and Care Act 2022 (c. 31), s. 186(6), Sch. 5 para. 18; S.I. 2022/734, reg. 2(a), Sch. (with regs. 13, 29, 30)
F3Words in s. 56(1) substituted (1.4.2013) by Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), ss. 168(1)(b), 306(4); S.I. 2013/671, art. 2(3)
F4S. 56(1A) inserted (1.4.2013) by Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), ss. 168(2), 306(4); S.I. 2013/671, art. 2(3)
F5S. 56(2)(a) omitted (1.7.2022) by virtue of Health and Care Act 2022 (c. 31), ss. 65(2)(a), 186(6); S.I. 2022/734, reg. 2(a), Sch. (with regs. 13, 29, 30)
F6S. 56(2)(c) omitted (1.4.2013) by virtue of Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), ss. 168(3)(a), 306(4); S.I. 2013/671, art. 2(3)
F7Words in s. 56(2) omitted (1.4.2013) by virtue of Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), ss. 168(3)(b), 306(4); S.I. 2013/671, art. 2(3)
F8S. 56(3) omitted (1.4.2013) by virtue of Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), ss. 168(4), 306(4); S.I. 2013/671, art. 2(3)
F9S. 56(4) substituted (1.7.2022) by Health and Care Act 2022 (c. 31), ss. 65(2)(b), 186(6); S.I. 2022/734, reg. 2(a), Sch. (with regs. 13, 29, 30)
F10S. 56(5)-(10) omitted (1.4.2013) by virtue of Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), ss. 168(6), 306(4); S.I. 2013/671, art. 2(3)
F11Words in s. 56(11) substituted (1.4.2013) by Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), ss. 168(7), 306(4); S.I. 2013/671, art. 2(3)
Options/Help
Print Options
PrintThe Whole Act
PrintThe Whole Part
PrintThe Whole Chapter
PrintThe Whole Cross Heading
PrintThis Section only
You have chosen to open The Whole Act
The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
You have chosen to open The Whole Act as a PDF
The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.
Would you like to continue?
You have chosen to open The Whole Act without Schedules
The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
You have chosen to open The Whole Act without Schedules as a PDF
The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.
Would you like to continue?
You have chosen to open The Whole Part
The Whole Part you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
You have chosen to open The Whole Part as a PDF
The Whole Part you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.
Would you like to continue?
You have chosen to open the Whole Act
The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
You have chosen to open the Whole Act without Schedules
The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
You have chosen to open Schedules only
The Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
Legislation is available in different versions:
Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.
Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.
See additional information alongside the content
Geographical Extent: Indicates the geographical area that this provision applies to. For further information see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.
Show Timeline of Changes: See how this legislation has or could change over time. Turning this feature on will show extra navigation options to go to these specific points in time. Return to the latest available version by using the controls above in the What Version box.
Opening Options
Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once
More Resources
Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
- the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
- lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
- confers power and blanket amendment details
- all formats of all associated documents
- correction slips
- links to related legislation and further information resources
Timeline of Changes
This timeline shows the different points in time where a change occurred. The dates will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. The first date in the timeline will usually be the earliest date when the provision came into force. In some cases the first date is 01/02/1991 (or for Northern Ireland legislation 01/01/2006). This date is our basedate. No versions before this date are available. For further information see the Editorial Practice Guide and Glossary under Help.
More Resources
Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
- the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
- correction slips
Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including:
- lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
- confers power and blanket amendment details
- all formats of all associated documents
- links to related legislation and further information resources
All content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. This site additionally contains content derived from EUR-Lex, reused under the terms of the Commission Decision 2011/833/EU on the reuse of documents from the EU institutions. For more information see the EUR-Lex public statement on re-use.