http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1978/29/section/93National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978An Act to consolidate certain enactments relating to the national health service in Scotland.1980-10-01texttext/xmlenStatute Law Database2026-08-04Expert Participation2026-07-22 Part VI The Health Service Commissioner for Scotland<CommentaryRef Ref="c14172161"/>Bodies and action subject to investigation.931In this Part a “body subject to investigation” means any of the following bodies—aHealth Boards;bthe Agency;bbNHS trustsbbthe Dental Practice Board;c 2Subject to the provisions of this section, the Commissioner may investigate—aan alleged failure in a service provided by a body subject to investigation, orban alleged failure of a body subject to investigation to provide a service which it was the function of the body to provide, orcany other action taken by or on behalf of a body subject to investigation,in a case where a complaint is duly made by or on behalf of any person that he has sustained injustice or hardship in consequence of the failure or in consequence of maladministration connected with the other action.3Except as hereafter provided, the Commissioner shall not conduct an investigation under this Part in respect of any of the following matters—aany action in respect of which the person aggrieved has or had a right of appeal, reference or review to or before a tribunal constituted by or under any enactment or by virtue of Her Majesty’s prerogative;bany action in respect of which the person aggrieved has or had a remedy by way of proceedings in any court of law;but the Commissioner may conduct an investigation notwithstanding that the person aggrieved has or had such a right or remedy, if he is satisfied that in the particular circumstances it is not reasonable to expect that person to resort or have resorted to it.4Without prejudice to subsection (3), the Commissioner shall not conduct an investigation under this Part in respect of any such action as is described in Schedule 14.5Her Majesty may, by Order in Council, amend the said Schedule 14 so as to exclude from the provisions of that Schedule action described in paragraph 4 or 5 of that Schedule.6In determining whether to initiate, continue or discontinue an investigation under this Part, the Commissioner shall, subject to the foregoing provisions of this section, act in accordance with his own discretion; and any question whether a complaint is duly made under this Part shall be determined by the Commissioner.Pt. VI (ss. 90-97) repealed (5.2.1994) by 1993 c. 46, ss. 20, 22(4), Sch. 3 (with s. 3(4)).Pt. VI (ss. 90–97) applied (1.4.1991) by S.I. 1990/2639, art. 5(1)(2), Sch. Pt. IS. 93(1)(bb) inserted by National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 (c. 19, SIF 113:2), s. 66(1), Sch. 9 para. 19(18)S. 93(1)(bb) inserted by Health and Medicines Act 1988 (c. 49, SIF 113:2), s. 12(5)S. 93(1)(c) repealed by Health Services Act 1980 (c. 53), Sch. 7