1.These explanatory notes relate to the Health and Social Care Act, which received Royal Assent on 27 March 2012. They have been prepared by the Department of Health in order to assist the reader of the Act. They do not form part of the Act and have not been endorsed by Parliament.
2.These notes need to be read in conjunction with the Act. They are not, and are not meant to be, a comprehensive description of the Act. Therefore, where a section or part of a section does not seem to require any explanation or comment, none is given.
3.A glossary of terms and abbreviations used in these explanatory notes is provided at the end of these notes.
Introduction