The National Health Service Act 2006 is amended as follows.
After section 27A (inserted by section 54 of this Act) insert—
NHS England’s directions to NHS trusts (27B) (1) NHS England may give directions to an NHS trust established under section 25 about its exercise of any functions. (2) In so far as a direction under this section conflicts with a direction under section 8 or paragraph 25(3) of Schedule 4, it is of no effect.
In section 73 (directions and regulations under Parts 1 and 2), in subsection (1), after paragraph (ba) (inserted by section 13 of this Act) insert—
(bb)section 27B,
In Schedule 4—
, and (c) in circumstances specified in directions under section 27B, with the consent of NHS England.
;