Commentary on Sections Part 9 – Health and adult social care services: information Functions: information systems Section 265 - Advice or guidance
1445.This section gives the Information Centre discretion to advise bodies described in subsection (2) on issues relating to the collection, analysis, publication or other dissemination of information. The section also requires the Centre to provide advice or guidance to any person or body it is requested to advise by the Secretary of State or the NHS Commissioning Board.
1446.This is intended to help minimise duplication and burdens relating to information collection. In particular, the Secretary of State is required to request advice on ways of minimising the burden of information collections on health or social care bodies and other persons at least once every 3 years.
1447.Subsections (5) and (6) require any health or social care body or other provider of health services or adult social care to whom advice or guidance is given to have regard to the advice or guidance when exercising functions or providing services in connection with the provision of health or adult social care.