Commentary on Sections Section 7: Health care principles: guidance and directions
25.Subsection (1) provides that any body with a duty under section 5 must have regard to any guidance issued by the Scottish Ministers about the practical application of the health care principles. Subsection (2) provides that the Scottish Ministers must consult relevant people or organisations before giving that guidance. For example, the Scottish Ministers may provide guidance about practical ways to implement Health Care Principle 5 “Support necessary to receive or access health care is available”, which might include ensuring patients are aware that they can have a third party with them to support them, such as a friend, relative or partner etc, or ensuring that patients are aware of translation, interpreting and communication support services and how to access them.
26.Subsection (3) provides that the Scottish Ministers may give the bodies directions on how the health care principles should be applied in practice.