National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978, Section 1 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 07 March 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.
(1)It shall continue to be the duty of the Secretary of State to promote in Scotland a comprehensive and integrated health service designed to secure—
(a)improvement in the physical and mental health of the people of Scotland, and,
(b)the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of illness,
and for that purpose to provide or secure the effective provision of services in accordance with the provisions of this Act.
(2)The services so provided shall be free of charge, except in so far as the making and recovery of charges is expressly provided for by or under any enactment, whenever passed.
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