Action by the Secretary of State
223.New section 65W requires the Secretary of State to decide what action to take in relation to the performance of the relevant provider functions within 20 working days of receiving the final report. The decision and the reasons for it must be laid before Parliament as well as published.
224.If the Secretary of State decides to take any action in relation to the relevant provider function (for example, the Secretary of State may decide that the PCT should stop providing services itself and commission them from elsewhere) he or she will exercise existing powers under the NHS Act to take that action.
225.New section 65X allows the Secretary of State to give directions to the PCT and the TSA, requiring that the TSA is removed with effect from a specified day.