Commentary on Sections Quality Section 14: Commission for Health Improvement: constitution
84.This section (by means of amendment to Schedule 2 to the Health Act) allows the Secretary of State and the Assembly to direct a Special Health Authority to exercise their functions in relation to appointing the chairman and members of CHI (subsection (2)); removes the requirement that the Secretary of State, after consultation with the Assembly, consents to the appointment of CHI’s Chief Executive; removes the Secretary of State’s direction-making powers in respect of the terms under which CHI employs people (subsection (3)); and provides for CHI to produce an annual report about the quality of NHS services (in addition to the annual report on its own work) (subsection (5)).  CHI is required to make this report to the Assembly and the Secretary of State.
85.Subsection (4) provides that certain of CHI’s functions in relation to the collection and analysis of data and performance assessment may be carried out by what will be known as the Office for Information on Health Care Performance.
86.Currently, CHI may arrange for any of its functions to be discharged by any committee, sub-committee, member or employee of CHI.  Subsection (4) also provides that CHI may arrange for the discharge of any of its functions by any other person.