Explanatory note

This Order provides for the establishment and constitution of a Special Health Authority, to be known as the National Health Service Information Authority (“the Authority”), to exercise on behalf of the Secretary of State such functions in connection with supporting the development and implementation of information and communication services in the health service as he may direct it to perform.

Article 2 of the Order establishes the Authority, the functions of which are described in article 3 and are to be specified in directions given by the Secretary of State. Provision is also made for the constitution of the Authority (article 4), for the remuneration of members of the Authority who are not also its officers (article 5), for the admission of the public to meetings (article 6) and for the transfer of staff (article 7 and the Schedule).