Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003

Valid from 01/04/2004

Chapter 2 E+W NHS health care: introductory

45 Quality in health care E+W

(1) It is the duty of each NHS body to put and keep in place arrangements for the purpose of monitoring and improving the quality of health care provided by and for that body.

(2) In this Part “health care” means—

(a) services provided to individuals for or in connection with the prevention, diagnosis or treatment of illness; and

(b) the promotion and protection of public health.

(3) In subsection (2)(a), “illness” has the meaning given by section 128(1) of the 1977 Act.

46 Standards set by Secretary of State E+W

(1) The Secretary of State may prepare and publish statements of standards in relation to the provision of health care by and for English NHS bodies and cross-border SHAs.

(2) The Secretary of State must keep the standards under review and may publish amended statements whenever he considers it appropriate.

(3) The Secretary of State must consult such persons as he considers appropriate—

(a) before publishing a statement under this section;

(b) before publishing an amended statement under this section which in the opinion of the Secretary of State effects a substantial change in the standards.

(4) The standards set out in statements under this section are to be taken into account by every English NHS body and cross-border SHA in discharging its duty under section 45.

47 Standards set by Assembly E+W

(1) The Assembly may prepare and publish statements of standards in relation to the provision of health care by and for Welsh NHS bodies.

(2) The Assembly must keep the standards under review and may publish amended statements whenever it considers it appropriate.

(3) The Assembly must consult such persons as it considers appropriate—

(a) before publishing a statement under this section;

(b) before publishing an amended statement under this section which in the opinion of the Assembly effects a substantial change in the standards.

(4) The standards set out in statements under this section are to be taken into account by every Welsh NHS body in discharging its duty under section 45.