S. 49 partly in force; s. 49 in force for specified purposes at Royal Assent, see s. 306(1)(d)

S. 49 in force at 1.4.2013 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2013/160, art. 2(2) (with arts. 7-9)

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2012/7/section/49Health and Social Care Act 2012An Act to establish and make provision about a National Health Service Commissioning Board and clinical commissioning groups and to make other provision about the National Health Service in England; to make provision about public health in the United Kingdom; to make provision about regulating health and adult social care services; to make provision about public involvement in health and social care matters, scrutiny of health matters by local authorities and co-operation between local authorities and commissioners of health care services; to make provision about regulating health and social care workers; to establish and make provision about a National Institute for Health and Care Excellence; to establish and make provision about a Health and Social Care Information Centre and to make other provision about information relating to health or social care matters; to abolish certain public bodies involved in health or social care; to make other provision about health care; and for connected purposes.texttext/xmlenStatute Law Database2026-05-06Expert Participation2026-05-05Health and Social Care Act 2012s. 105(3A)(3B)Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013Sch. 14 para. 21s. 103(3)Health and Social Care Act 2012s. 106(3A)(3B)Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013Sch. 14 para. 22s. 103(3)Health and Social Care Act 2012specified provision(s)The Health and Social Care Act 2012 (Commencement No.3, Transitional, Savings and Transitory Provisions and Amendment) Order 2012art. 15Health and Social Care Act 2012Pt. 9 Ch. 1BHealth and Care Act 2022s. 96s. 186(6)Health and Social Care Act 2012s. 259(1)(aa)(b)Health and Care Act 2022s. 98(b)s. 186(6)Health and Social Care Act 2012s. 259(10A)(10B)Health and Care Act 2022s. 98(h)s. 186(6)Health and Social Care Act 2012s. 259(1)(aa)The Health and Social Care Information Centre (Transfer of Functions, Abolition and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2023Sch. para. 17(11)(a)(iii)reg. 3reg. 1(4)Health and Social Care Act 2012s. 102(4)(ba)The Competition (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) (No. 2) Regulations 2019reg. 28reg. 1(1)PART 1The health service in EnglandMiscellaneous
49Primary care services: directions as to exercise of functions(1)

After section 98 of the National Health Service Act 2006 insert—Directions

98AExercise of functions(1)

The Secretary of State may direct the Board to exercise any of the Secretary of State's functions relating to the provision of primary medical services.

(2)

Subsection (1) does not apply to any function of the Secretary of State of making an order or regulations.

(3)

The Secretary of State may give directions to the Board about its exercise of any functions relating to the provision of primary medical services (including functions which the Board has been directed to exercise under subsection (1)).

(4)

The Board may direct a clinical commissioning group to exercise any of the Board's functions relating to the provision of primary medical services.

(5)

The Board may give directions to a clinical commissioning group about the exercise by it of any functions relating to the provision of primary medical services (including functions which the group has been directed to exercise under subsection (4)).

(6)

Subsection (4) does not apply to such functions, or functions of such descriptions, as may be prescribed.

(7)

Where the Board gives a direction under subsection (4) or (5), it may disclose to the clinical commissioning group information it has about the provision of the primary medical services in question, if the Board considers it necessary or appropriate to do so in order to enable or assist the group to exercise the function specified in the direction.

(8)

A clinical commissioning group exercising a function specified in a direction under subsection (4) or (5) must report to the Board on matters arising out of the group's exercise of the function.

(9)

A report under subsection (8) must be made in such form and manner as the Board may specify.

(10)

The Board may, in exercising its functions relating to the provision of the primary medical services in question, have regard to a report under subsection (8).

(2)

After section 114 of that Act insert—Directions

114AExercise of functions(1)

The Secretary of State may direct the Board to exercise any of the Secretary of State's functions relating to the provision of primary dental services.

(2)

Subsection (1) does not apply to any function of the Secretary of State of making an order or regulations.

(3)

The Secretary of State may give directions to the Board about its exercise of any functions relating to the provision of primary dental services (including functions which the Board has been directed to exercise under subsection (1)).

(3)

After section 125 of that Act insert—Directions

125AExercise of functions(1)

The Secretary of State may direct the Board to exercise any of the Secretary of State's functions relating to the provision of primary ophthalmic services.

(2)

Subsection (1) does not apply to any function of the Secretary of State of making an order or regulations.

(3)

The Secretary of State may give directions to the Board about its exercise of any functions relating to the provision of primary ophthalmic services (including functions which the Board has been directed to exercise under subsection (1)).

(4)

The Board may direct a clinical commissioning group, a Special Health Authority or such other body as may be prescribed to exercise any of the Board's functions relating to the provision of primary ophthalmic services.

(5)

The Board may give directions to a clinical commissioning group, a Special Health Authority or such other body as may be prescribed about the exercise by the body of any functions relating to the provision of primary ophthalmic services (including functions which it has been directed to exercise under subsection (4)).

(6)

Subsection (4) does not apply to such functions, or functions of such descriptions, as may be prescribed.

(7)

Where the Board gives a direction to a body under subsection (4) or (5), it may disclose to the body the information it has about the provision of the primary ophthalmic services in question, if the Board considers it necessary or appropriate to do so in order to enable or assist the body to exercise the function specified in the direction.

(8)

A body which is given a direction under subsection (4) or (5) must report to the Board on matters arising out of the exercise of the function to which the direction relates.

(9)

A report under subsection (8) must be made in such form and manner as the Board may specify.

(10)

The Board may, in exercising its functions relating to the provision of the primary ophthalmic services in question, have regard to a report under subsection (8).

(4)

After section 168 of that Act insert—Directions

168AExercise of functions(1)

The Secretary of State may direct the Board to exercise any of the Secretary of State's functions relating to services that may be provided as pharmaceutical services, or as local pharmaceutical services, under this Part.

(2)

Subsection (1) does not apply to any function of the Secretary of State of making an order or regulations.

(3)

The Secretary of State may give directions to the Board about its exercise of any functions relating to pharmaceutical services or to local pharmaceutical services (including functions which the Board has been directed to exercise under subsection (1)).