{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/national-health-service-scotland-act-1978/section-10A",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/national-health-service-scotland-act-1978/section-10A.json",
  "legislation": "ukpga/1978/29",
  "legislation_title": "National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/national-health-service-scotland-act-1978",
  "path": "section/10A",
  "kind": "section",
  "number": "10A",
  "heading": "Healthcare Improvement Scotland",
  "text": "(1) There is established a body to be known as Healthcare Improvement Scotland (in this Act referred to as “ HIS ”) which—\n(a) is to exercise the functions conferred on it by virtue of this Act and any other enactment (including the 2021 Act , the Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Act 2026 and regulations made under section 5 of that Act); and\n(b) has the general duty of furthering improvement in the quality of —\n(i) health care,\n(ii) services provided under the 2021 Act, and\n(iii) the provision of non-surgical procedures within the meaning of section 1 of the Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Act 2026.\n(2) In subsection (1)(b), “ health care ” means services for or in connection with the prevention, diagnosis or treatment of illness provided—\n(a) under the health service; or\n(b) by persons providing independent health care services.\n(3) In carrying out its functions, HIS is to act subject to and in accordance with such directions as may be given by the Scottish Ministers.\n(4) The Scottish Ministers may vary or revoke any direction given under subsection (3).\n(5) Schedule 5A (which makes further provision about the status, constitution, proceedings etc. of HIS) has effect.",
  "extent": null,
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F1",
      "text": "Ss. 10A-10Z19 and cross-headings inserted (1.8.2010 for the insertion of s. 10A for specified purposes, 1.10.2010 for specified purposes, 1.4.2011 for specified purposes, 1.4.2016 for specified purposes with the exception of the insertion of s. 10Z9(1)(a), 1.4.2017 for specified purposes, 19.6.2024 for specified purposes with the exception of the insertion of s. 10Z9(1)(a), 19.6.2025 for specified purposes) by Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 (asp 8), ss. 108, 134(7); S.S.I. 2010/221, art. 3(2)(3), sch.; S.S.I. 2010/321, art. 3, sch.; S.S.I. 2011/122, art. 2, sch.; S.S.I. 2016/22, art. 2(1)(2), sch. 1, sch. 2; S.S.I. 2024/131, art. 2, sch. 1, sch. 2"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F2",
      "text": "Words in s. 10A(1)(a) inserted (1.4.2022) by The Forensic Medical Services (Modification of Functions of Healthcare Improvement Scotland and Supplementary Provision) Regulations 2022 (S.S.I. 2022/88), reg. 1, sch. para. 2(a)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F3",
      "text": "Words in s. 10A(1)(a) inserted (22.7.2026) by Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Act 2026 (asp 13), s. 24(2), sch. 2 para. 2(a); S.S.I. 2026/206, reg. 2, sch."
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F4",
      "text": "Words in s. 10A(1)(b) substituted (22.7.2026) by Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Act 2026 (asp 13), s. 24(2), sch. 2 para. 2(b); S.S.I. 2026/206, reg. 2, sch."
    }
  ],
  "outstanding_effects": [],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1978/29/section/10A",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-31T10:30:48.038600+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}