This Order provides for the establishment and constitution of a Special Health Authority under section 28 of the National Health Service Act 2006 to be known as the Health Research Authority (“the Authority”) to exercise such of the Secretary of State’s functions in connection with the facilitation and promotion of research and the establishment, and appointment of members to, Research Ethics Committees, and such other functions, as the Secretary of State may direct.

Article 2 of the Order establishes the Authority, the functions of which are described in article 3 and are to be specified more particularly in directions given to the Authority by the Secretary of State. Provision is also made for the constitution of the Authority (article 4) and for the transfer of staff and property from the National Patient Safety Agency to the Authority (articles 5 and 6 and the Schedule).

A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no impact on the private or voluntary sectors is foreseen.