Health and Social Care (Reform) Act (Northern Ireland) 2009

The framework document

5.—(1) The Department shall prepare a document (in this Act referred to as “the framework document”) setting out in relation to each health and social care body—

(a) the main priorities and objectives of the body in carrying out its functions and the process by which it is to determine further priorities and objectives;

(b) the matters for which the body is responsible;

(c) the manner in which the body is to discharge its functions and conduct its working relationship with—

(i) the Department, and

(ii) any other body specified in the document; and

(d) the arrangements for providing the Department with information to enable it to carry out its functions in relation to the body under section 2(3)(h) or (i).

(2) The framework document may contain—

(a) such guidance relating to the carrying out by each health and social care body of its functions, and

(b) such other material pertaining to the body or its functions,

as the Department considers appropriate.

(3) The Department—

(a) shall keep the framework document under review; and

(b) may from time to time revise it.

(4) The Department must carry out its duties under subsections (1) to (3) in the manner and to the extent that appear to it to be best calculated to promote—

(a) health and social care;

(b) the economy, efficiency and effectiveness of health and social care bodies; and

(c) economy, efficiency and effectiveness in connection with the matters in relation to which those bodies have functions.

(5) In preparing the framework document, or any revision of it which appears to the Department to be significant, the Department must consult—

(a) each health and social care body as respects its functions (or persons considered by the Department to represent that body); and

(b) any other bodies or persons the Department considers appropriate.

(6) Each health and social care body shall have regard to the framework document in carrying out its functions.