http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1977/49/section/2
National Health Service Act 1977
An Act to consolidate certain provisions relating to the health service for England and Wales; and to repeal certain enactments relating to the health service which have ceased to have any effect.
1987-10-01
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Statute Law Database
2024-10-04
Expert Participation
2003-12-01
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 124A(3)(aa)
Adoption and Children Act 2002
Sch. 3
para. 20
Sch. 4
para. 6-8
s. 148(1)
art. 2(o)
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 3(4)
Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003
Sch. 11
para. 8
s. 199(1)
(4)
art. 2(1)(f)
art. 6
7
art. 2(2)(c)
art. 7
8
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 19A(2)(aa)
Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003
Sch. 9
para. 9
s. 199(1)
(4)
art. 8
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 22(1A)(e)
Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003
Sch. 4
para. 25
s. 199(1)
(4)
art. 2
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 28E(3)(ca)
Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003
s. 177(7)
s. 199(1)
(4)
art. 4(2)(a)
art. 7
8
art. 6(1)(a)
art. 4(1)(a)
art. 1(1)
Sch. 1 Pt. 2
para. 13
art. 4
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 28E(3A)
(3B)
Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003
s. 177(8)
s. 199(1)
(4)
art. 4(2)(a)
art. 7
8
art. 6(1)(a)
art. 4(1)(a)
art. 1(1)
Sch. 1 Pt. 2
para. 13
art. 4
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 28E(3C)
Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003
s. 177(9)
s. 199(1)
(4)
art. 4(2)(a)
art. 7
8
art. 6(1)(a)
art. 4(1)(a)
art. 1(1)
Sch. 1 Pt. 2
para. 13
art. 4
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 28E(3D)
Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003
s. 177(10)
s. 199(1)
(4)
art. 4(2)(a)
art. 7
8
art. 6(1)(a)
art. 4(1)(a)
art. 1(1)
Sch. 1 Pt. 2
para. 13
art. 4
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 28E(3E)
(3F)
Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003
s. 177(11)
s. 199(1)
(4)
art. 4(2)(a)
art. 7
8
art. 6(1)(a)
art. 4(1)(a)
art. 1(1)
Sch. 1 Pt. 2
para. 13
art. 4
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 28Y
Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003
s. 180
s. 199(1)
(4)
art. 2(1)(e)
art. 6
7
art. 2(2)(b)
art. 7
8
art. 4(2)(c)
art. 2(1)(e)
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 29-34A
Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003
s. 175(2)
Sch. 14
Pt. 4
s. 199(1)
(4)
art. 3(1)(a)
art. 6
7
art. 3(3)
6(2)(d)
art. 7
8
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 72(5)(d) and word(s)
Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003
Sch. 11
para. 27(2)
s. 199(1)
(4)
art. 5(2)(m)
art. 7
8
art. 4(2)(o)
art. 6
7
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 77(4)
Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003
Sch. 11
para. 28
s. 199(1)
(4)
art. 10(2)(d)
art. 6(2)(g)
art. 1(1)
Sch. 1 Pt. 2
para. 13
art. 4
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 79(5)(b)
Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003
s. 183(4)
s. 199(1)
(4)
art. 7(1)
art. 5(1)
art. 7(2)
art. 5(2)
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 96A(12)
Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003
Sch. 4
para. 37
s. 199(1)
(4)
art. 2
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 126(1A)
Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003
s. 183(3)(b)
s. 199(1)
(4)
art. 7(1)
art. 5(1)
art. 7(2)
art. 5(2)
National Health Service Act 1977
Sch. 7A
para. 3(1)(fa)
Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003
Sch. 11
para. 40(2)(a)
s. 199(1)
(4)
art. 4(2)(r)
art. 6
7
National Health Service Act 1977
Sch. 7A
para. 3(1)(g)
Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003
Sch. 11
para. 40(2)(b)
Sch. 14
Pt. 4
s. 199(1)
(4)
art. 4(2)(r)
5(2)(d)
art. 6
7
art. 1(1)
Sch. 1 Pt. 2
para. 13
art. 4
National Health Service Act 1977
Sch. 7A
para. 3(2)
Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003
Sch. 11
para. 40(3)
s. 199(1)
(4)
art. 4(2)(r)
art. 6
7
National Health Service Act 1977
Sch. 9A
para. 10(a)
(aa)
Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003
Sch. 11
para. 42(4)(b)
s. 199(1)
(4)
art. 5(2)(p)
art. 7
8
art. 4(2)(t)
art. 6
7
National Health Service Act 1977
Act
National Health Service (Consequential Provisions) Act 2006
Sch. 4
Sch. 2 Pt. 1 Sch. 2
para. 7
Sch. 3
Pt. 1
s. 8(2)
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 3(4)(a)
Health Act 2006
Sch. 8
para. 7(4)(a)
s. 83(7)
art. 2(b)
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 3(4)(b)
Health Act 2006
Sch. 8
para. 7(4)(b)
s. 83(7)
art. 2(b)
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 8(9)
(10)
Health Act 2006
s. 74(1)
s. 83(1)(a)
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 11(4A)
(4B)
Health Act 2006
s. 74(2)(a)
s. 83(1)(a)
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 16CD
16CE
Health Act 2006
s. 37
s. 83(7)
art. 2(a)
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 21(4)
The National Health Service (Pre-consolidation Amendments) Order 2006
Sch. 1 Pt. 1
para. 9
art. 4
art. 1(1)
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 28M(4)
The National Health Service (Pre-consolidation Amendments) Order 2006
Sch. 1 Pt. 1
para. 16
art. 4
art. 1(1)
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 28WA-28WF and cross-heading
Health Act 2006
s. 38
s. 83(7)
art. 2(a)
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 28X heading
Health Act 2006
s. 39(5)
s. 83(7)
art. 2(a)
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 28X
The National Health Service (Local Pharmaceutical Services etc.) Regulations 2006
Sch. 1
para. 4
reg. 1(1)
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 28X(1A)
The National Health Service (Pre-consolidation Amendments) Order 2006
Sch. 1 Pt. 1
para. 17(a)
art. 4
art. 1(1)
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 28X(2A)
Health Act 2006
s. 39(2)
s. 83(7)
art. 2(a)
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 28X(3)(b)
Health Act 2006
s. 39(3)
s. 83(7)
art. 2(a)
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 28X(3)(c)
The National Health Service (Pre-consolidation Amendments) Order 2006
Sch. 1 Pt. 1
para. 17(b)
art. 4
art. 1(1)
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 28X(6A)
Health Act 2006
s. 39(4)
s. 83(7)
art. 2(a)
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 28Y(1)
The National Health Service (Local Pharmaceutical Services etc.) Regulations 2006
Sch. 1
para. 5
reg. 1(1)
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 28Y(1)(a)
Health Act 2006
s. 40(2)
s. 83(7)
art. 2(a)
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 28Y(1)(b)
Health Act 2006
s. 40(3)
s. 83(7)
art. 2(a)
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 28Y(1)(c)
The National Health Service (Pre-consolidation Amendments) Order 2006
Sch. 1 Pt. 1
para. 18
art. 4
art. 1(1)
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 42(2B)
(2C)
Health Act 2006
s. 35
s. 83(5)(b)
(7)
art. 3(b)
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 42A
42B
Health Act 2006
s. 34(1)
s. 83(5)(b)
(7)
art. 3(a)
art. 2
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 43A
43B
The National Health Service (Pre-consolidation Amendments) Order 2006
Sch. 1 Pt. 1
para. 19
art. 4
art. 1(1)
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 44(3A)
The National Health Service (Pre-consolidation Amendments) Order 2006
Sch. 1 Pt. 1
para. 20(c)
art. 4
art. 1(1)
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 45A(3)(a)
Health Act 2006
Sch. 8
para. 17(2)
Sch. 9
s. 83(7)
art. 2(b)
(c)
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 45A(3)(aa)
Health Act 2006
Sch. 8
para. 17(2)
s. 83(7)
art. 2(b)
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 45A(4)(a)
Health Act 2006
Sch. 8
para. 17(3)
s. 83(7)
art. 2(b)
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 45C
Health Act 2006
s. 41
s. 83(7)
art. 2(a)
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 72(5)(d)
Health Act 2006
Sch. 8
para. 21(b)(i)
s. 83(7)
art. 2(b)
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 72(5)(d)
Health Act 2006
Sch. 8
para. 21(b)(ii)
s. 83(7)
art. 2(b)
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 96(4)
The National Health Service (Pre-consolidation Amendments) Order 2006
Sch. 1 Pt. 1
para. 27
art. 4
art. 1(1)
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 98(1A)(e)
The Special Health Authorities (Audit) Order 2006
Sch. 2
para. 1(2)
art. 1
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 98(1BC)
The Special Health Authorities (Audit) Order 2006
Sch. 2
para. 1(3)
art. 1
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 98(1C)
The Special Health Authorities (Audit) Order 2006
Sch. 2
para. 1(4)
art. 1
National Health Service Act 1977
Sch. 5
para. 12B
The National Health Service (Pre-consolidation Amendments) Order 2006
Sch. 1 Pt. 1
para. 39(c)
art. 4
art. 1(1)
National Health Service Act 1977
Sch. 5A
para. 20(1A)
Health Act 2006
s. 74(3)
s. 83(1)(a)
National Health Service Act 1977
Sch. 5B
para. 19(1A)
Health Act 2006
s. 74(4)
s. 83(1)(a)
National Health Service Act 1977
Sch. 9A
para. 6(d)(i)
(ii)
The National Health Service (Pre-consolidation Amendments) Order 2006
Sch. 1 Pt. 1
para. 40(b)
art. 4
art. 1(1)
National Health Service Act 1977
Sch. 12
para. 2A(1)(b)
(ba)
Health Act 2006
s. 42(2)(a)
s. 83(7)
art. 2(a)
National Health Service Act 1977
Sch. 12
para. 2A(6)
The National Health Service (Pre-consolidation Amendments) Order 2006
Sch. 1 Pt. 1
para. 42(g)
art. 4
art. 1(1)
National Health Service Act 1977
Sch. 12
para. 2B
Health Act 2006
s. 42(3)
s. 83(7)
art. 2(a)
National Health Service Act 1977
Sch. 12
para. 2B
The National Health Service (Pre-consolidation Amendments) Order 2006
Sch. 1 Pt. 2
para. 15
art. 4
art. 1(1)
National Health Service Act 1977
Sch. 12B
Health Act 2006
s. 56(2)
Sch. 3
s. 83(5)(d)
(7)
art. 5(a)
art. 6
art. 4(a)
art. 5
National Health Service Act 1977
specified amended provision(s)
The Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003 Commencement (Wales) (No. 4) Order 2006
art. 2-7
commencement order for 2003 c. 43
National Health Service Act 1977
specified amended provision(s)
The Health and Social Care Act 2001 (Commencement No. 14) (England) Order 2006
art. 2
3
commencement order for 2001 c. 15
National Health Service Act 1977
specified amended provision(s)
The Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (Commencement No. 5) Order 2006
art. 2
Sch. 1
2
commencement order for 2005 c. 4
National Health Service Act 1977
specified amended provision(s)
The National Health Service (Pre-consolidation Amendments) Order 2006
Sch. 1 Pt. 2
para. 3
6
8
12
13
commencement order for 1997 c. 46
National Health Service Act 1977
specified amended provision(s)
The Health Act 2006 (Commencement No. 1 and Transitional Provisions) Order 2006
art. 2-5
commencement order for 2006 c. 28
National Health Service Act 1977
specified amended provision(s)
The Health Act 2006 (Commencement No.2) Order 2006
art. 2-4
commencement order for 2006 c. 28
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 43A
43B
Health Act 1999
s. 10(1)
(2)
s. 67(1)
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 46-46C
Health Act 1999
s. 40(1)
s. 67(1)
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 42(2A)
Health and Social Care Act 2001
s. 40(3)
s. 64(9)
65(4)
s. 70(2)
art. 2(1)(a)
art. 2(2)(a)
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 103(4)
(5)
Health and Social Care Act 2001
Sch. 5
para. 5(12)(c)
s. 64(9)
65(4)
s. 70(2)
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 126(4A)
Health and Social Care Act 2001
Sch. 5
para. 5(13)(c)
s. 64(9)
65(4)
s. 70(2)
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 34A
National Health Service (Primary Care) Act 1997
s. 25(1)
s. 41(3)
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 43(4)
(5)
Pharmacists (Fitness to Practise) Act 1997 (repealed)
Sch.
para. 6
s. 2(1)
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 43A(3)
National Health Service (Primary Care) Act 1997
Sch. 2
para. 77
Sch. 3
Pt. 2
s. 41(3)
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 78A
National Health Service (Primary Care) Act 1997
s. 26(1)
s. 41(3)
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 3(4)(b)
The General Medical Services and Personal Medical Services Transitional and Consequential Provisions Order 2004
art. 109(2)(a)
art. 1(1)
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 28D(1)(bc)(i)
The General Medical Services and Personal Medical Services Transitional and Consequential Provisions Order 2004
art. 109(2)(a)
art. 1(1)
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 28D(1)(bc)(iii)
The Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Act 2004 (Consequential Modifications) Order 2004
Sch.
para. 3
art. 1
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 28W(5)
The National Health Service (General Medical Services Contracts) (Wales) Regulations 2004
reg. 100(3)
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 28W(5)
The National Health Service (General Medical Services Contracts) (Wales) Regulations 2004
Sch. 6
para. 100(3)
reg. 1(1)
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 45A(3)
The General Medical Services and Personal Medical Services Transitional and Consequential Provisions Order 2004
art. 109(2)(a)
art. 1(1)
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 45A(4)
The General Medical Services and Personal Medical Services Transitional and Consequential Provisions Order 2004
art. 109(2)(a)
art. 1(1)
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 45A(11)
The General Medical Services and Personal Medical Services Transitional and Consequential Provisions Order 2004
art. 109(2)(a)
art. 1(1)
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 54(1)(c)
The General Medical Services and Personal Medical Services Transitional and Consequential Provisions Order 2004
art. 109(2)(a)
art. 1(1)
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 72(5)(d)
The General Medical Services and Personal Medical Services Transitional and Consequential Provisions Order 2004
art. 109(2)(a)
art. 1(1)
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 98(1A)
The Government Resources and Accounts Act 2000 (Audit of Health Service Bodies) Order 2004
Sch. 2
para. 1(2)
art. 1
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 98(1BA)
(1BB)
The Government Resources and Accounts Act 2000 (Audit of Health Service Bodies) Order 2004
Sch. 2
para. 1(3)
art. 1
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 98(1C)
The Government Resources and Accounts Act 2000 (Audit of Health Service Bodies) Order 2004
Sch. 2
para. 1(4)
art. 1
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 98(1D)
Public Audit (Wales) Act 2004
Sch. 2
para. 2
s. 73
art. 2
Sch. 1
National Health Service Act 1977
Sch. 11
para. 5A
The Freedom of Information (Removal and Relaxation of Statutory Prohibitions on Disclosure of Information) Order 2004
art. 7
art. 1
National Health Service Act 1977
specified amended provision(s)
The Health and Social Care Act 2001 (Commencement No. 6) (Wales) Order 2004
Gorchymyn Deddf Iechyd a Gofal Cymdeithasol 2001 (Cychwyn Rhif 6) (Cymru) 2004
art. 2-4
commencement order for 2001 c. 15
National Health Service Act 1977
specified amended provision(s)
The National Health Service (Primary Care) Act 1997 (Commencement No. 9) Order 2004
art. 2
3
commencement order for 1997 c. 46
National Health Service Act 1977
specified amended provision(s)
The Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003 Commencement (No. 2) Order 2004
art. 2-6
commencement order for 2003 c. 43. This SI is amended by SI 2004/866, SI 2004/1009 and SI 2005/2925
National Health Service Act 1977
specified amended provision(s)
The Health Act 1999 (Commencement No. 14) Order 2004
art. 2
commencement order for 1998 c. 8
National Health Service Act 1977
specified amended provision(s)
The Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003 (Commencement No. 1) (Wales) Order 2004
art. 2-5
commencement order for 2003 c. 43. This SI is amended by SI 2004/1019 and SI 2006/345
National Health Service Act 1977
specified amended provision(s)
The Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003 Commencement (No.3) Order 2004
art. 2-13
commencement order for 2003 c. 43. This SI is amended by SI 2006/836 and SI 2007/1102
National Health Service Act 1977
specified amended provision(s)
The Sexual Offences Act 2003 (Commencement) Order 2004
art. 2
commencement order for 2003 c. 42
National Health Service Act 1977
specified amended provision(s)
The Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003 Commencement (No.2) (Amendment No.2) Order 2004
art. 2
commencement order for 2003 c. 43
National Health Service Act 1977
specified amended provision(s)
The Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003 (Commencement No. 1) (Wales) (Amendment) Order 2004
art. 2
commencement order for 2003 c. 43
National Health Service Act 1977
specified amended provision(s)
The Health Act 1999 (Commencement No.15) Order 2004
art. 2-6
commencement order for 1999 c. 8
National Health Service Act 1977
specified amended provision(s)
The Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003 Commencement (No. 4) Order 2004
art. 2
commencement order for 2003 c. 43
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 35(3)-(3B)
The Dentists Act 1984 (Amendment) Order 2005
Sch. 6
para. 1(2)(a)
Sch. 7
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 98(7)-(10)
The Regulatory Reform (National Health Service Charitable and Non-Charitable Trust Accounts and Audit) Order 2005
art. 2(2)
art. 1(2)
National Health Service Act 1977
Sch. 5
para. 10(2A)-(2C)
The Dentists Act 1984 (Amendment) Order 2005
Sch. 6
para. 1(4)
Sch. 7
National Health Service Act 1977
specified amended provision(s)
The Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003 (Commencement) (No. 6) Order 2005
art. 2
commencement order for 2003 c. 43
National Health Service Act 1977
specified amended provision(s)
The Public Audit (Wales) Act 2004 (Commencement No. 2 and Transitional Provisions and Savings) Order 2005
Gorchymyn Deddf Archwilio Cyhoeddus (Cymru) 2004 (Cychwyn Rhif 2 a Darpariaethau Trosiannol ac Arbedion) 2005
art. 2
Sch. 1
commencement order for 2004 c. 23
National Health Service Act 1977
specified amended provision(s)
The Inquiries Act 2005 (Commencement) Order 2005
art. 2
commencement order for 2005 c. 12
National Health Service Act 1977
specified amended provision(s)
The Adoption and Children Act 2002 (Commencement No. 9) Order 2005
art. 2
3
commencement order for 2002 c. 38
National Health Service Act 1977
specified amended provision(s)
The Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Act 2005 (Commencement No. 1 and Transitional Provisions and Savings) Order 2005
Gorchymyn Deddf Ombwdsmon Gwasanaethau Cyhoeddus (Cymru) 2005 (Cychwyn Rhif 1 a Darpariaethau Trosiannol ac Arbedion) 2005
art. 3-5
commencement order for 2005 c. 10
National Health Service Act 1977
specified amended provision(s)
The Adoption and Children Act 2002 (Commencement No. 10 Transitional and Savings Provisions) Order 2005
art. 2
commencement order for 2002 c. 38
National Health Service Act 1977
specified amended provision(s)
The Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003 Commencement (No. 8) Order 2005
art. 2
4-11
Commencement order for 2003 c. 43 This SI amends SI 2004/288 and is amended by SI 2006/836
National Health Service Act 1977
specified amended provision(s)
The National Health Service (Primary Care) Act 1997 (Commencement No.10) Order 2005
art. 2
3
commencement order for 1997 c. 46
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 43A
Health and Social Security Act 1984
s. 7(1)
s. 27(1)
National Health Service Act 1977
s. 43B
Health and Social Security Act 1984
s. 7(3)
s. 27(1)
National Health Service Act 1977
specified amended provision(s)
The Health Act 2006 (Commencement No. 1 and Transitional Provisions) (Wales) Order 2007
Gorchymyn Deddf Iechyd 2006 (Cychwyn Rhif 1 a Darpariaethau Trosiannol) (Cymru) 2007
art. 2-4
commencement order for 2006 c. 28
National Health Service Act 1977
specified amended provision(s)
The Health Act 2006 (Commencement No. 5) Order 2008
art. 2
commencement order for 2006 c. 28
Part I Services and Administration
Functions of the Secretary of State
C1C22 Secretary of State’s general power as to services.
Without prejudice to the Secretary of State’s powers apart from this section, he has power—
a
to provide such services as he considers appropriate for the purpose of discharging any duty imposed on him by this Act; and
b
to do any other thing whatsoever which is calculated to facilitate, or is conducive or incidental to, the discharge of such a duty.
This section is subject to section 3(3) below.