ANNEX B: EXISTING LEGISLATION ABOUT SOCIAL CARE The 1977 Act
400.The 1977 Act places a duty on the Secretary of State to continue to promote a comprehensive health service in England and Wales. It provides that NHS services are in general to be free. The Secretary of State is required by section 3 of the 1977 Act to provide such health services as he considers necessary to meet all reasonable requirements in England and Wales. Section 3(d) specifically mentions nursing services. As mentioned above, however, the NHS is not currently solely responsible for providing nursing care. Nursing services which are incidental and/or ancillary to the provision of accommodation provided by local authorities can be provided by those local authorities.