Commentary on Sections Part 9 – Health and adult social care services: information Functions: information systems Section 254 - Powers to direct the Information Centre to establish information systems
1419.This section provides the Secretary of State or the NHS Commissioning Board with powers to require the Information Centre to put in place systems for collecting or analysing information. The Secretary of State may direct the Centre to collect or analyse information having considered that it is necessary or expedient for the Secretary of State to have the resulting information in connection with the provision of health services or adult social care in England. The Board may direct the Centre to collect or analyse information having considered that it is necessary or expedient for the Board to have the resulting information in relation to its exercise of functions in connection with the provision of NHS services. Before making such directions, the Secretary of State or the Board are required to consult the Centre so that it can advise on options and methodology. For example, the Centre could advise that it already collects or analyses the information.
1420.Subsection (7) ensures that the Information Centre can charge the Board a reasonable fee for complying with a direction given by the Board to establish a system for the collection or analysis of information.