The Health Authorities Act 1995 (Transitional Provisions) Order 1996

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order makes transitional provision in connection with the abolition, by the Health Authorities Act 1995 on 1st April 1996, of Regional Health Authorities, District Health Authorities and Family Health Services Authorities, and the establishment under that Act of Health Authorities to exercise functions, principally on behalf of the Secretary of State, in relation to the National Health Service.

In particular, the Order identifies the bodies which are to be the successors, for specified purposes, of bodies abolished on 1st April 1996 (article 1(2) and Schedules 1 to 4). Provision is made for the transfer to new employers of staff employed by the abolished bodies on 31st March 1996 (articles 2 and 3), for the transfer of property held on charitable trusts (article 4), for the accounts and the winding up of affairs of abolished bodies (article 5), and for their responsibilities in relation to charities connected with the health service (articles 6 and 7).

The Order also provides for the investigation on and after 1st April 1996 of complaints made against, or made to, an abolished body before that date (articles 9 and 10), for the continuation of Community Health Councils in existence on 31st March 1996 (article 11), for the appointment of members by voluntary organisations to Joint Consultative Committees between 1st April 1996 and 30th September 1996 (article 12), and for securing continuity in the exercise from 1st April 1996 of functions previously exercised by abolished bodies (articles 13 and 14).