The Secretary of State may by regulations made with the consent of the Treasury establish a scheme whereby any of the bodies or other persons specified in subsection (2) may make provision to meet—
The bodies and other persons referred to in subsection (1) are—
but a scheme under this section may limit the class or description of bodies which , or other persons who, are eligible to participate in it.
In subsection (1)(b) "functions"—
A scheme under this section may, in particular—
If the Secretary of State so directs, a body which is eligible to participate in a scheme must do so.
The Secretary of State may make a direction under subsection (4) in respect of a body only if the body is within any of paragraphs (c), (d) and (f) of subsection (2).
Where a scheme provides for the scheme to be administered by the Secretary of State, NHS England or a ... ... NHS trust, Special Health Authority or NHS foundation trust must carry out such functions in connection with the administration of the scheme by the Secretary of State as he may direct.
Subsections (4) and (6) do not affect any other power of direction of the Secretary of State.
A person or body administering a scheme under this section does not require permission under any provision of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (c. 8) as respects activities carried out under the scheme.
In subsection (2)(i), the reference to a person providing health services does not include a person providing health services under a contract of employment.
In this section " health services " means services provided as part of the health service.