National Health Service Act 1977

23 Voluntary organisations and other bodies

(1) The Secretary of State may, where he considers it appropriate, arrange with any person or body (including a voluntary organisation) for that person or body to provide, or assist in providing, any service under this Act.

In this section " voluntary organisation " means a body the activities of which are carried on otherwise than for profit, but does not include any public or local authority.

(2) The Secretary of State may make available—

(a) to any person or body (including a voluntary organisation) carrying out any arrangements under subsection (1) above, or

(b) to any voluntary organisation eligible for assistance under section 64 or section 65 of the [1968 c. 46.] Health Services and Public Health Act 1968 (assistance made available by the Secretary of State or local authorities),

any facilities (including goods or materials, or the use of any premises and the use of any vehicle, plant or apparatus) provided by him for any service under this Act; and, where anything is so made available, the services of persons employed by the Secretary of State or by a health authority in connection with it.

(3) The powers conferred by this section may be exercised on such terms as may be agreed, including terms as to the making of payments by or to the Secretary of State, and any goods or materials may be made available either temporarily or permanently.

(4) The Secretary of State may by order provide that, in relation to a vehicle which is made available by him in pursuance of this section and is used in accordance with the terms on which it is so made available, the [1971 c. 10.] Vehicles (Excise) Act 1971 and Part VI of the [1972 c. 20.] Road Traffic Act 1972 shall have effect with such modifications as are specified in the order.

(5) Any power to supply goods or materials conferred by this section includes a power to purchase and store them and includes a power to arrange with third parties for the supply of goods or materials by those third parties.