The Health and Social Care Act 2001 (Commencement No. 8) Order 2002

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order is the eighth Commencement Order made under the Health and Social Care Act 2001 (“the 2001 Act”) and brings into force certain provisions of that Act.

Section 63 of the 2001 Act, which relates to the extension of prescribing rights, is brought into force partially on 6th March 2002 and fully on 1st April 2002 for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Section 15 of the 2001 Act, which amends section 29B of the 1977 Act (which provides for regulations about the filling of GP vacancies), is brought into force partially on 8th March 2002 and fully on 1st April 2002 for England and Wales.

The provisions set out in Schedule 1, which relate to the abolition of the Medical Practices Committee and enhanced criminal record certificates, are brought into force on 1st April 2002 for England and, unless otherwise specified in that Schedule, Wales. Article 3 of this Order makes transitional provision for certificates given by the Medical Practices Committee under Schedule 10 to the 1977 Act.

Sections 28 to 39, 41 and 43 of, and Schedule 2 of the 2001 Act (which relate to local pharmaceutical schemes) are brought into force on 8th March 2002 for England only.

Section 42 of the 2001 Act, which substitutes a new section 41 in the National Health Service Act 1977 (arrangements for pharmaceutical services), is brought into force partially on 8th March and fully on 1st April 2002 for England only.

Section 43 of the 2001 Act, which makes amendments to the 1977 Act regarding the remote provision of pharmaceutical services, is brought into force on 1st April 2002 for England only.

Section 26(2) of the 2001 Act, which inserts a new section 8ZA into the National Health Service Act 1977 (lists of persons who may perform personal medical services or personal dental services), is brought into force on 31st May 2002 for England only.