Part 4: The Health Services Safety Investigations Body Relationship with other bodies Section 128: Investigations relating to Wales and Northern Ireland
Section 128 allows the HSSIB to enter into an agreement with a person to carry out an investigation in the UK if the investigation falls within subsection (2). That subsection requires, amongst other things, for the investigation to be into one or more incidents that have occurred or are occurring in the UK during the provision of services provided as part of the health service in Wales or health care in Northern Ireland (as defined at subsection (3) or on premises where those services are provided). The investigations will be similar to other HSSIB investigation in that they will not involve the assessment or determination of blame or civil or criminal liability but they will not benefit from protected information or other investigatory powers which apply to the HSSIB’s investigation function. These investigations can be charged for (subsection (4)) but the HSSIB cannot make a profit as the charges must not exceed the costs incurred by it (subsection (5)). This is a secondary function of the HSSIB and so agreements cannot be entered into under this section if they will, to a significant extent, interfere with the exercise of the HSSIB and its investigation function (subsection (6)).
	The HSSIB may impose charges for providing services under an agreement to carry out these investigations. These investigations may only be entered into by the HSSIB if it considers that the provision of services under the agreement will not, to any significant extent, interfere with the exercise by the HSSIB of its investigation function.
	The HSSIB cannot contract to provide such investigations in respect of Scottish Health care but bodies in Scotland may request expertise from HSSIB under section 127 during the course of its own investigation.