National Health Service Act 1977

5 Other services

(1) It is the Secretary of State's duty—

(a) to provide for the medical and dental inspection at appropriate intervals of pupils in attendance at schools maintained by local education authorities and for the medical and dental treatment of such pupils (and the additional provisions set out in Schedule 1 to this Act have effect in relation to this paragraph);

(b) to arrange, to such extent as he considers necessary to meet all reasonable requirements in England and Wales, for the giving of advice on contraception, the medical examination of persons seeking advice on contraception, the treatment of such persons and the supply of contraceptive substances and appliances.

(2) The Secretary of State may—

(a) provide invalid carriages for persons appearing to him to be suffering from severe physical defect or disability and, at the request of such a person, may provide for him a vehicle other than an invalid carriage (and the additional provisions set out in Schedule 2 to this Act have effect in relation to this paragraph);

(b) arrange to provide accommodation and treatment outside Great Britain for persons suffering from respiratory tuberculosis;

(c) provide a microbiological service, which may include the provision of laboratories, for the control of the spread of infectious diseases (and the Secretary of State may allow persons to use services provided at such laboratories on such terms, including terms as to charges, as he thinks fit);

(d) conduct, or assist by grants or otherwise (without prejudice to the general powers and duties conferred on him under the [1919 c. 21.] Ministry of Health Act 1919) any person to conduct, research into any matters relating to the causation, prevention, diagnosis or treatment of illness, and into any such other matters connected with any service provided under this Act as he considers appropriate.

(3) Regulations may provide for the payment by the Secretary of State in such cases as may be prescribed of travelling expenses (including the travelling expenses of a companion) incurred or to be incurred by persons for the purpose of availing themselves of any services provided under this Act.

(4) The Public Health Laboratory Service Board continues in being for the purpose of exercising such functions with respect to the administration of the public health laboratory service (the service referred to in paragraph (c) of subsection (2) above) as the Secretary of State may determine.

(5) The Board shall continue to be constituted in accordance with Part I of Schedule 3 to this Act, and the additional provisions set out in Part II of that Schedule have effect in relation to the Board.