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Section 13ZC: Secretary of State directions as to exercise of NHS England functions

National Health Service Act 2006 · 2006 c. 41View on legislation.gov.uk

Part 2: Health service bodies — CHAPTER A1: NHS England

The Secretary of State may give NHS England directions as to the exercise of any of its functions.

The directions that may be given include a direction as to whether a power is to be exercised or not.

The directions that may be given include a direction as to—

when or how a function is, or is not, to be exercised;
conditions that must be met before a function is exercised (for example, conditions relating to the provision of information, consultation or approval);
matters to be taken into account in exercising a function.

For exceptions to the power to give directions under subsection (1), see section 13ZD.

A direction under subsection (1) must include a statement that the Secretary of State considers the direction to be in the public interest.

As soon as reasonably practicable after giving a direction under subsection (1), the Secretary of State must publish it.

The fact that the Secretary of State has a function under any other enactment in relation to NHS England's exercise of functions is not to be read as limiting the power conferred by subsection (1).

The reference in subsection (7) to a function of the Secretary of State does not include a function of making subordinate legislation.

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This legislation text comes from legislation.gov.uk. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. These source and reuse terms cover the legislation text, not Remedy's commentary.

Reuse reviewed 21 August 2026 under Open Government Licence v3.0.