NHS Special Health Authority

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Special Health Authorities provide services on behalf of the English National Health Service (unlike other Health Authorities who serve a specific geographic area).

Special Health Authorities have been set up to provide a national service to the NHS or the public, under Section 11 of the NHS Act 1977. They are independent, but can be subject to ministerial direction like other NHS bodies. They are another type of "arm's length body" for the Department of Health, along with executive agencies and Non-Departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs).

While some Special Health Authorities provide services direct to the public (eg. NHS Direct), many are concerned with improving the ability of other parts of the NHS to deliver effective health care.

[edit] NHS Special Health Authorities

The NHS Dental Vocational Training Authority (DVTA) which was also an NHS Special Authority, closed in March 2006. In April 2006, all duties covered by the DVTA were taken over by The Committee of Postgraduate Deans and Directors (COPDenD)[1].

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

  • NHS.uk - NHS list of Special Health Authorities (May, 2006)
  • DH.gov.uk - DoH list of arm's length bodies, including Special Health Authorities (May, 2006)