Department’s role in promoting and providing health and social care
5The framework document
1
The Department shall prepare a document (in this Act referred to as “the framework document”) setting out in relation to each health and social care body—
a
the main priorities and objectives of the body in carrying out its functions and the process by which it is to determine further priorities and objectives;
b
the matters for which the body is responsible;
c
the manner in which the body is to discharge its functions and conduct its working relationship with—
i
the Department, and
ii
any other body specified in the document; and
d
the arrangements for providing the Department with information to enable it to carry out its functions in relation to the body under section 2(3)(h) or (i).
2
The framework document may contain—
a
such guidance relating to the carrying out by each health and social care body of its functions, and
b
such other material pertaining to the body or its functions,
as the Department considers appropriate.
3
The Department—
a
shall keep the framework document under review; and
b
may from time to time revise it.
4
The Department must carry out its duties under subsections (1) to (3) in the manner and to the extent that appear to it to be best calculated to promote—
a
health and social care;
b
the economy, efficiency and effectiveness of health and social care bodies; and
c
economy, efficiency and effectiveness in connection with the matters in relation to which those bodies have functions.
5
In preparing the framework document, or any revision of it which appears to the Department to be significant, the Department must consult—
a
each health and social care body as respects its functions (or persons considered by the Department to represent that body); and
b
any other bodies or persons the Department considers appropriate.
6
Each health and social care body shall have regard to the framework document in carrying out its functions.