Section 55 — Directions to NHS trusts

Extent: E+W

This version in force from 2022-07-01

Snapshot: 2026-08-24

Reproduced from legislation.gov.uk (Crown Copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0). Amendments made after 2026-08-24 may not be reflected — always check the official text .

(1) The National Health Service Act 2006 is amended as follows.

(2) 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.

(3) 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, .

(4) In Schedule 4—

(a) in paragraph 20 (additional income), in sub-paragraph (2)—

(i) omit the “and” at the end of paragraph (a);

(ii) at the end of paragraph (b) insert , and (c) in circumstances specified in directions under section 27B, with the consent of NHS England. ;

(b) in paragraph 25 (staff), in sub-paragraph (3), at the end insert “and any directions given by NHS England under section 27B”.