Establishment and general duties
252The Health and Social Care Information Centre
(1)There is to be a body corporate known as the Health and Social Care Information Centre (referred to in this Chapter as “the Information Centre”).
(2)Schedule 18 (which makes further provision about the Information Centre) has effect.
253General duties
(1)In exercising its functions the Information Centre must have regard to—
(a)the information standards published by the Secretary of State or the Board under section 250,
(b)such guidance issued by the Secretary of State as the Secretary of State may require,
(c)such guidance issued by the Board as the Board may require, and
(d)the need to promote the effective, efficient and economic use of resources in the provision of health services and of adult social care in England.
(2)The Information Centre must—
(a)seek to minimise the burdens it imposes on others, and
(b)exercise its functions effectively, efficiently and economically.
(3)In this Chapter—
“adult social care”—
(a)includes all forms of personal care and other practical assistance provided for individuals who, by reason of age, illness, disability, pregnancy, childbirth, dependence on alcohol or drugs, or any other similar circumstances, are in need of such care or other assistance, but
(b)does not include anything provided by an establishment or agency for which Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills is the registration authority under section 5 of the Care Standards Act 2000;
“health services” means services which must or may be provided as part of the health service in England.