4—(1) The Department shall determine, and may from time to time revise, its priorities and objectives for the provision of health and social care in Northern Ireland.
(2) Before determining or revising any priorities or objectives under this section, the Department must consult such bodies or persons as it thinks appropriate.
(3) Where the Department is of the opinion that because of the urgency of the matter it is necessary to act under subsection (1) without consultation—
(a)subsection (2) does not apply; but
(b)the Department must as soon as reasonably practicable give notice to such bodies as it thinks appropriate of the grounds on which the Department formed that opinion.