206.This section enables Ministers of the Crown with responsibility for the provision of publicly funded health services, or Northern Ireland Ministers with responsibility for the health service in Northern Ireland, to enter into arrangements with the Commission for Health Improvement under which the Commission may perform functions in relation to those services. For example, the quality agenda for the NHS in Northern Ireland has yet to be finalised, but the Northern Ireland Assembly may, at some future date, decide that the Commission can assist in monitoring arrangements put in place to improve the quality of NHS services there. Section 22 allows the First Minister or deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, or the Department of Health and Social Services for Northern Ireland, to enter into arrangements with the Commission for the Commission to exercise functions in relation to the health service in Northern Ireland on behalf of the Minister or the Department. Other examples of arrangements which may be made under this section are arrangements between the Commission and the Secretary of State for Defence in respect of provision of health care to the Armed Forces, and between the Commission and the Home Secretary in respect of healthcare provided to prisoners.
Commentary on Sections Schedule 2 Section 22: Arrangements with Ministers