The Secretary of State must continue the promotion in England of a comprehensive health service designed to secure improvement—
in the physical and mental health of the people of England, and
in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of physical and mental illness.
For that purpose, the Secretary of State must exercise the functions conferred by this Act so as to secure that services are provided in accordance with this Act.
The Secretary of State retains ministerial responsibility to Parliament for the provision of the health service in England.
The services provided as part of the health service in England must be free of charge except in so far as the making and recovery of charges is expressly provided for by or under any enactment, whenever passed.