48Special reviews and investigationsE+W
(1)The Commission may F1...conduct any special review or investigation, and must do so if the Secretary of State so requests [F2; but the Commission may not conduct a review or investigation under subsection (2)(ba) or (bb) without the approval of the Secretary of State.].
F3(1A). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2)A special review or investigation is a review (other than [F4 a review under section 46] [F5, 46A] [F6or 46B]) of or an investigation into—
(a)the provision of NHS care,
(b)the provision of adult social services,
[F7(ba)the exercise of the functions of [F8NHS England] or [F9an integrated care board] in arranging for the provision of NHS care under the National Health Service Act 2006 [F10 or section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983 (after-care)],]
[F11(bb)the exercise of the functions of English local authorities in arranging for the provision of adult social services,] or
(c)the exercise of functions by English Health Authorities.
(3)Such a review or investigation may relate—
(a)to the overall provision of NHS care or adult social services or to the provision of NHS care or adult social services of a particular description;
(b)to the overall exercise of functions or to the exercise of functions of a particular description;
(c)to the provision of care or services or the exercise of functions by bodies or persons generally or by particular bodies or persons.
[F12(3A)A review or investigation under subsection (2)(b), in so far as it involves a review or investigation into the arrangements made for the provision of the adult social services in question, is to be treated as a review [F13or investigation] under subsection (2)(bb) (and the requirement for approval under subsection (1) is accordingly to apply).]
(4)Where the Commission conducts a review or investigation under this section, it must publish a report.
(5)The Commission must consider whether the report raises anything on which it ought to give advice to the Secretary of State under section 53(2).
(6)If the review or investigation gives rise to a duty to act under section 50(2) F14... in respect of an English local authority, subsection (5) does not apply in relation to so much of the report as relates to that local authority.
F15(7). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(8)In this section “English Health Authority” means—
F16(a). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b)a Special Health Authority performing functions only or mainly in respect of England.
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 48(1) omitted (1.10.2014) by virtue of Care Act 2014 (c. 23), ss. 91(4)(a), 127(1); S.I. 2014/1714, art. 4
F2Words in s. 48(1) inserted (1.10.2014) by Care Act 2014 (c. 23), ss. 91(4)(b), 127(1); S.I. 2014/1714, art. 4
F3S. 48(1A) omitted (1.10.2014) by virtue of Care Act 2014 (c. 23), ss. 91(5), 127(1); S.I. 2014/1714, art. 4
F4Words in s. 48(2) substituted (1.10.2014) by Care Act 2014 (c. 23), ss. 91(6), 127(1); S.I. 2014/1714, art. 4
F5Word in s. 48(2) inserted (1.4.2023) by Health and Care Act 2022 (c. 31), ss. 163(4)(a), 186(6); S.I. 2023/371, reg. 2(e)
F6Words in s. 48(2) inserted (1.4.2023) by Health and Care Act 2022 (c. 31), ss. 31(3), 186(6); S.I. 2023/371, reg. 2(b)
F7S. 48(2)(ba) inserted (1.4.2013) by Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), s. 306(4), Sch. 5 para. 158(a); S.I. 2013/160, art. 2(2) (with arts. 7-9)
F8Words in s. 48 substituted (1.7.2022) by Health and Care Act 2022 (c. 31), s. 186(6), Sch. 1 para. 1(1)(2); S.I. 2022/734, reg. 2(a), Sch. (with regs. 13, 29, 30)
F9Words in s. 48(2)(ba) substituted (1.7.2022) by Health and Care Act 2022 (c. 31), s. 186(6), Sch. 4 para. 163; S.I. 2022/734, reg. 2(a), Sch. (with regs. 13, 29, 30)
F10Words in s. 48(2)(ba) inserted (27.3.2012 for specified purposes, 1.4.2013 in so far as not already in force) by Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), ss. 40(6), 306(4), Sch. 5 para. 158(a); S.I. 2013/160, art. 2(2) (with arts. 7-9
F11S. 48(2)(bb) inserted (1.10.2014) by Care Act 2014 (c. 23), ss. 91(7), 127(1); S.I. 2014/1714, art. 4
F12S. 48(3A) inserted (1.10.2014) by Care Act 2014 (c. 23), ss. 91(8), 127(1); S.I. 2014/1714, art. 4
F13Words in s. 48(3A) inserted (1.4.2023) by Health and Care Act 2022 (c. 31), ss. 163(4)(b), 186(6); S.I. 2023/371, reg. 2(e)
F14Words in s. 48(6) omitted (1.4.2023) by virtue of Health and Care Act 2022 (c. 31), ss. 165(2), 186(6); S.I. 2023/371, reg. 2(g)
F15S. 48(7) omitted (1.10.2014) by virtue of Care Act 2014 (c. 23), ss. 90(2), 127(1); S.I. 2014/2473, art. 3(e)
F16S. 48(8)(a) omitted (1.4.2013) by virtue of Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), s. 306(4), Sch. 5 para. 158(b); S.I. 2013/160, art. 2(2) (with arts. 7-9)
Commencement Information
I1S. 48 partly in force; S. 48 in force for specified purposes at Royal Assent, see s. 170
I2S. 48 in force at 1.4.2009 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2009/462, art. 2(1), Sch. 1 para. 17