Explanatory note

These Regulations make provision for functions of Health Authorities to be exercised by Primary Care Trusts and for certain restrictions on the exercise of those functions by Primary Care Trusts. The Regulations apply to Health Authorities and Primary Care Trusts in England.

Regulation 2 concerns interpretation. In particular, it defines the persons for whom a Primary Care Trust is responsible.

Regulation 3 and Schedules 1 to 3 specify the functions which are to be exercised by Primary Care Trusts and the extent to which those functions are to be exercised. Schedule 1 relates to the Secretary of State’s functions which are exercisable by Health Authorities by virtue of the National Health Service (Functions of Health Authorities and Administration Arrangements) Regulations 1996; Schedule 2 relates to functions exercisable under certain Acts; and Schedule 3 relates to functions exercisable under certain regulations. Regulation 4 and Schedule 4 specify the functions which are not to be exercised by Primary Care Trusts. Regulation 5 provides for other functions to be exercisable by Primary Care Trusts or for functions to be exercised to a greater extent than that specified in regulation 3. Regulation 6 sets out certain restrictions on the exercise of functions by Primary Care Trusts.