National Health Service Act 1977

Valid from 08/09/1999

2(1)A PCT order may provide for the establishment of a Primary Care Trust with effect from a date earlier than the operational date.

(2)During the period beginning with that earlier date and ending with the day immediately preceding the operational date (referred to in this Schedule as the preparatory period), the exercise of any functions by the trust shall be limited to such exercise as may be specified in the PCT order for the purpose of enabling it to begin to operate satisfactorily with effect from the operational date.

(3)A PCT order may require the Health Authority in whose area a Primary Care Trust is established to meet the costs of the trust performing its functions during the preparatory period by doing either or both of the following—

(a)discharging such liabilities of the trust as may be incurred during the preparatory period and are of a description specified in the order,

(b)paying the trust sums to enable it to meet expenditure of a description specified in the order.

(4)A PCT order may require the Health Authority in whose area a Primary Care Trust is established or an NHS trust to make available to the Primary Care Trust during the preparatory period—

(a)premises and other facilities of the authority or NHS trust,

(b)officers of the authority,

(c)staff of the NHS trust.