Explanatory note

The NHS Quality Improvement Scotland Order 2002 (S.S.I. 2002/534) constituted the Special Health Board known as NHS Quality Improvement Scotland (“NHS QIS”). That Order is amended by Article 2 of this Order which extends existing functions of the Board and confers new functions.

This Order extends NHS QIS’s functions of supporting ensuring and monitoring the quality of healthcare provided by the National Health Service in Scotland (including providing quality assurance and accreditation) to also cover health care secured by the National Health Service in Scotland.

This Order confers a new function on NHS QIS of supporting, ensuring and monitoring the discharge of the duty under (i) section 2B of the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 (c. 29) (duty to encourage public involvement) and (ii) section 2D of that Act (duty to discharge functions in a manner that encourages equal opportunities and in particular the observance of the equal opportunity requirements) by Health Boards, Special Health Boards and the Common Services Agency for the Scottish Health Service. The function of supporting, ensuring and monitoring the discharge of the duties under sections 2B and D of that Act by NHS QIS will be performed by the Scottish Ministers and is not conferred on NHS QIS by this Order.