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.