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The National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1972 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.
Act of Parliament | |
Long title | An Act to make further provision as respects the health service in Scotland, and for connected purposes. |
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Citation | 1972 c. 58 |
Introduced by | Baroness Tweedsmuir of Belhelvie |
Territorial extent | Scotland (except amendments to the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1957) |
Dates | |
Royal assent | 9 August 1972 |
Status: Amended | |
Text of statute as originally enacted | |
Revised text of statute as amended | |
Text of the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1972 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk. |
The act imposed duties on the Secretary of State for Scotland relating to the provision of health services and education,[1] and established 15 Health Boards and local health committees[2] as part of a reorganisation that dissolved multiple previous bodies including the Regional Hospital Boards, Boards of Management and Executive Councils.[3] The Health Boards covered groups of local government districts and island councils that existed between 1975 and 1996. They formed the upper tier of the Scottish health care system.[4] Responsibility for community health services was also transferred from local authorities.
The act established the post of Health Service Commissioner for Scotland,[5] a role held alongside that of the equivalent posts for England and Wales – which were established by the National Health Service Reorganisation Act the following year – by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration.
The act also established the Scottish Health Service Planning Council,[6] and a Common Services Agency for the Scottish Health Service.[7]
A similar system was established in England and Wales under the National Health Service Reorganisation Act 1973 which also amended the 1972 Act.