PART IIF1Health and Social Care Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority

The F2RQIA3.

(1)

There shall be a body corporate to be known as the F1Health and Social Care Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (in this Order referred to as “the F2RQIA ”).

(2)

Schedule 1 (which makes further provision relating to the F2RQIA ) shall have effect.

General duties in relation to provision of services4.

(1)

In this Part “services” means services provided by—

(a)

persons registered under Part III; and

(b)

F3... F4HSC trusts and special agencies.

(2)

The F2RQIA shall have the general duties of—

(a)

keeping the Department informed about the provision of services and in particular about their availability and their quality; and

(b)

encouraging improvement in the quality of services.

Advice and information about services5.

(1)

When asked to do so by the Department, the F2RQIA shall give the Department advice, reports or information on such matters relating to the provision of services or the exercise of its functions as may be specified in the Department's request.

(2)

The F2RQIA may at any time give advice to the Department on—

(a)

any changes which the F2RQIA thinks should be made in the standards set out in statements under Article 38;

(b)

any other matter connected with the provision of services.

Regulations and directions6.

(1)

The Department may by regulations make provision—

(a)

as to the times at which, the cases in which, the manner in which, the persons in relation to whom or the matters with respect to which, any functions of the F2RQIA are to be exercised;

(b)

as to the matters to be considered or taken into account in connection with the exercise of any functions of the F2RQIA ;

(c)

as to the persons to whom any advice, information or reports are to be given or made;

(d)

as to the publication of reports and summaries of reports;

(e)

as to the recovery from prescribed persons of amounts in respect of the expenditure incurred by the F2RQIA in the exercise of its functions;

(f)

for or in connection with the exercise of functions of the F2RQIA in conjunction with the exercise of functions of other persons;

(g)

conferring additional functions on the F2RQIA .

(2)

The Department may give directions to the F2RQIA with respect to the exercise of its functions and the F2RQIA must comply with them.

Annual report7.

(1)

As soon as possible after the end of each financial year, the F2RQIA shall make a report to the Department—

(a)

on the way in which the F2RQIA has exercised its functions during that year; and

(b)

on what it has found in relation to services during that year.

(2)

In paragraph (1) “financial year” has the meaning given by paragraph 12(6) of Schedule 1.