(1)The following bodies are dissolved by virtue of this subsection—
the General Nursing Council for England and Wales ;
the General Nursing Council for Scotland ;
the Central Midwives Board ;
the Central Midwives Board for Scotland;
the Northern Ireland Council for Nurses and Midwives ; and
the Council for the Education and Training of Health Visitors;
and the [1962 c. 33.] Health Visiting and Social Work (Training) Act 1962 (which established the last-mentioned Council and also another body not dissolved by this Act) has effect accordingly.
(2)All those persons who at the passing of this Act hold office as members of—
the General Nursing Council for England and Wales ;
the General Nursing Council for Scotland ; or
the Northern Ireland Council for Nurses and Midwives,
shall continue in that office until the Council's dissolution.
(3)Part I of Schedule 5 to this Act has effect in connection with the transfer to the Central Council and the National Boards of the staff, property, rights and liabilities of the bodies mentioned in subsection (1); and Part II of that Schedule has effect with respect to the disposal of disciplinary proceedings begun before subsection (1) comes into force.
(4)In section 3(1)(a) of the Health Visiting and Social Work (Training) Act 1962 (functions of Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work) for " in the health and welfare services " there is substituted " in connection with health and welfare services provided in the United Kingdom by local authorities, the Department of Health and Social Services for Northern Ireland and voluntary organisations " ; and accordingly the [S.I. 1977/1240.] Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work Order 1977 is revoked so far as it extends the functions of that Council to include social work required in services provided under the enactments specified in the Order.
(1)The Council may make rules for the purpose of giving effect to this Act, and in particular with respect to anything which by this Act is required or authorised to be determined by rules.
(2)Rules under this Act may make different provision in relation to England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland respectively.
(3)Before making any rules under this Act, the Council shall consult—
(a)representatives of any group of persons who appear likely to be affected by the proposed rules; and
(b)the National Boards for the parts of the United Kingdom to which the proposed rules are to extend.
(4)Rules under section 12 shall not come into force until approved by order by the Lord Chancellor and, in the case of rules which apply to proceedings in Scotland, the Lord Advocate ; otherwise, rules come into force only when approved by the Secretary of State by order.
(1)In this Act—
" by order " means by order in a statutory instrument;
" the Central Council " and " the Council " mean the body established by section 1(1);
" elected members " has the meaning given by section 5(4)(b);
" the National Boards " and " the Boards " mean the bodies established by section 5(1);
" prescribed " means prescribed by the Secretary of State by order;
" the professional register " means the register maintained by the Council under section 10(1), and " registration " and " register " shall be construed accordingly;
" rules " means rules made by the Council; and
" training " includes education ; and for a person to be treated as " practising " he must be working in some capacity by virtue of a qualification in nursing, midwifery or health visiting as the case may be.
(2)Orders under this Act shall be subject to annulment by resolution of either House of Parliament; but this does not apply to—
(a)orders under section 22(4), Schedule 2, Part I, Schedule 3 or Schedule 5, Part I; or
(b)orders appointing a day for the purposes of any provision of this Act.
(3)Schedule 6 to this Act has effect for adapting the provisions of this Act there mentioned in their application to Northern Ireland and to the National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting for Northern Ireland.
(4)The enactments specified in Schedule 7 are amended as there specified.
(5)The enactments specified in Schedule 8 are repealed to the extent there specified.
(1)This Act may be cited as the Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors Act 1979.
(2)This Act, except section 21(2) and this section (which shall come into force on the passing of this Act), shall come into force on such day as the Secretary of State may by order appoint; and different days may be appointed for different provisions of this Act.
(3)This Act extends to Northern Ireland.