Commentary on Sections Part 2 –Standards Healthcare provided by and for NHS bodies Section 48: Introductory
153.Section 48 gives the CHAI the function of encouraging improvement in NHS health care by or for all NHS bodies. Under this section, the CHAI will be able to give information or advice to NHS bodies or others who provide NHS health care. It states that the CHAI, in exercising its functions under sections 49 to 56, shall be concerned in particular with the availability of and access to, the quality and effectiveness, and the economy and efficiency of health care provided by or for NHS bodies, and with the need to safeguard and promote the rights and welfare of children. CHAI shall also be concerned with the availability and quality of information provided to the public about the health care, such as generic information that is not specific to individual patients or service users, such as leaflets, hospital signage and other patient and service user information, such as information about medical conditions generally.