217.The Clinical Standards Advisory Group (CSAG) was established under section 62 of the 1990 Act. Its function is to advise as requested on standards of clinical care in the NHS and on access to and availability of services to NHS patients. This function will be taken on by the new Commission for Health Improvement, so section 25 provides for the abolition of CSAG. As CSAG may not have completed its current work programme by the time the Commission is established, the Secretary of State will be able to determine the date on which this section would come into effect.
218.Section 68(3) provides that the abolition of CSAG extends to Northern Ireland. In Northern Ireland the application to the integrated health and social services of a quality framework similar to that being established in England and Wales is under consideration.
Commentary on Sections Schedule 2 Section 25: Dissolution of Clinical Standards Advisory Group