The National Health Service (Local Health Councils) (Scotland) Regulations 1990

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations revoke the National Health Service (Local Health Councils) (Scotland) Regulations 1974 and substitute therefor provisions made in the light of amendments to section 7 of the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 effected by the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 (“the 1990 Act”). The Regulations come into force immediately with respect to the submission of schemes for the new health councils to be established under the amended provisions of the section and for the establishment of those new councils under such schemes.

Regulations 1 and 2 provide for the citation and commencement and interpretation of the Regulations. Regulation 3 makes provision with regard to the submission of schemes to the Secretary of State by health boards for the establishment of local health councils and provides for the content of the schemes.

Regulation 4 makes provision for the matters to be considered by local health councils and regulation 5 provides for councils to obtain information from the health board within whose area they are situated. Regulation 6 makes provision for health boards to consult with local health councils and regulations 7, 8 and 9 make provision for councils to provide reports including annual reports.

Regulation 10 makes provision for members of councils to visit establishments in the health service in their district and regulation 11 makes provision for health boards to provide councils with staffing and accommodation. Regulation 12 provides for health boards to hold meetings on a regular basis with members of health councils. Regulation 13 makes provision for the regulation of the meetings and proceedings of local health councils and regulation 14 makes provision for estimates, payment and accounting for expenses of local health councils.

Regulation 15 contains provisions revoking the 1974 Regulations, saving the 1974 Regulations in the case of councils established before the coming into force of the amendments effected by the 1990 Act and providing that the Regulations shall only apply to councils established under the amended provisions.