Commentary on Sections Part 2 –Standards Reviews and investigations Section 70: Reviews and investigations relating to Wales
182.The Commission for Health Improvement undertook reviews of, and investigations into, health care provided by NHS bodies both in England and Wales. This section provides for the Assembly to exercise these functions in relation to health care by or for Welsh NHS bodies. Under section 63 of the Government of Wales Act 1998, the Assembly has the power to delegate its inspection function to its staff. It is the stated intention of the Assembly to set up an internal unit to carry out this function.
183.In the same way that section 51 provides for particular matters to be considered by the CHAI in undertaking its review and investigation functions, subsection (4) provides that the Assembly shall be concerned with the availability of and access to, the quality and effectiveness and the economy and efficiency of health care provided by and for Welsh NHS bodies, the availability and quality of information provided to the public about the health care and the need to safeguard and promote the rights and welfare of children.