Part 1Promotion and provision of the health service in England

The Secretary of State and the health service in England

1Secretary of State's duty to promote health service

1

The Secretary of State must continue the promotion in England of a comprehensive health service designed to secure improvement—

a

in the physical and mental health of the people of England, and

b

in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of illness.

2

The Secretary of State must for that purpose provide or secure the provision of services in accordance with this Act.

3

The services so provided must 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.