National Health Service Act 2006

13 Strategic Health Authorities

(1) The Strategic Health Authorities established by the Secretary of State continue in existence.

(2) But the Secretary of State may by order—

(a) vary the area in England for which a Strategic Health Authority is established,

(b) abolish a Strategic Health Authority,

(c) establish a new Strategic Health Authority for an area in England,

(d) change the name by which a Strategic Health Authority is known.

(3) A Strategic Health Authority is called such name, in addition to the title “Strategic Health Authority”, as—

(a) appears to the Secretary of State appropriately to signify the connection of the authority with the area for which it is established, and

(b) is specified in the order establishing the authority or in an order changing the name by which the authority is known.

(4) No order may be made under this section until after the completion of such consultation as may be prescribed.

(5) Consultation requirements in regulations under subsection (4) are in addition to, and not in substitution for, any other consultation requirements which may apply.

(6) The Secretary of State must act under this section so as to ensure that the areas for which Strategic Health Authorities are at any time established together comprise the whole of England.

(7) The power under section 272(8) to make incidental or supplemental provision includes, in particular, in its application to orders made under this section, power to make provision for the transfer of staff, property and liabilities.

(8) The liabilities which may be transferred by virtue of this section and section 272(8) to a relevant transferee on the abolition of a Strategic Health Authority include criminal liabilities.

(9) “Relevant transferee” means—

(a) another Strategic Health Authority,

(b) a Primary Care Trust,

(c) an NHS trust,

(d) a Special Health Authority, or

(e) an NHS foundation trust.

(10) Schedule 2 makes further provision about Strategic Health Authorities.