(This note is not part of the Order)
This Order is the sixth commencement order made by the Secretary of State under the National Health Service Reform and Health Care Professions Act 2002 (“the Act”). One Order has also been made by the National Assembly for Wales.
Article 2 brings into force on 1st September 2003 sections 15 to 19 of the Act, which are concerned with the establishment and functions of Patients' Forums in England, together with two minor and consequential amendments to section 126 (orders and regulations and directions) of the National Health Service Act 1977. Paragraph 10(b) of Schedule 8 to the Act was brought into force in relation to Wales on 10th October 2002.
Article 3 amends the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 to add Patients' Forums established under section 15 of the Act to the list of bodies whose members are disqualified from membership of the House of Commons.