615.This section stipulates that HEE must make arrangements for obtaining advice from persons who are involved in, or have an interest in, the provision of education and training. The education and training landscape is multi-faceted, and many organisations have an interest in the development of health professionals, ranging from local employers in the NHS through to national organisations such as the professional regulators like the General Medical Council and professional bodies such as the medical Royal Colleges.
616.Subsections (2) and (3) stipulate that HEE must ensure it receives representations from specified groups. These groups include providers of NHS services, patients and their carers, the NHS and public health workforce or the trades unions who represent them and, professional regulators such as the Health and Care Professions Council. It also includes the range of bodies involved in the development and provision of education and training such as the medical Royal Colleges who support the development of curricula and the bodies involved in the delivery of further and higher education such as colleges and universities.
617.Subsection (4) requires HEE to advise the Secretary of State on any matters relating to its functions as the Secretary of State requests. The Secretary of State may specify in his request how and when the advice is to be provided.