ANNEX A: OUTLINE OF THE EXISTING LAW
337.The following paragraphs provide a brief description of the current legislative framework for the NHS and social services. The legislative framework for the NHS in England and Wales is mostly set out in the National Health Service Act 1977 (“the 1977 Act”). This has been amended quite substantially by various enactment’s, notably by the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 (“the 1990 Act”), the Health Authorities Act 1995 (“the 1995 Act”), the National Health Service (Primary Care) Act 1997 (“the Primary Care Act”) and the Health Act 1999 (“the Health Act”) .
338.The legislative framework for social services in England and Wales is set out in the National Assistance Act 1948, the National Health Service Act 1977 (“the 1977 Act”), the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 (“the 1990 Act”) and the Community Care (Direct Payments) Act 1996 (the “Direct Payments Act”) .
339.This Annex describes the existing legislation about the NHS. Annex B describes the existing legislation about social care; and Annex C describes other relevant legislation.