This Order provides for the establishment and constitution of a Special Health Authority, to be known as the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (“the Institute”), to exercise on behalf of the Secretary of State such functions in connection with the promotion of clinical excellence in the health service as he may direct it to perform.

Article 2 of the Order establishes the Institute, the functions of which are described in article 3 and are to be specified in directions given by the Secretary of State. Provision is made for the constitution of the Institute (article 4) and for the remuneration of members of the Institute who are not also its officers (article 5).