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Health Act 1999 partnership arrangements
The Health Act 1999 provides an enabling framework so that money can be pooled between health bodies and health-related local authority services, and resources and management structures can be integrated.
The arrangements, which have been in use since April 2000, allow for the joining-up of commissioning for existing or new services and similarly for the development of provider arrangements.
The arrangements are commonly referred to as Section 31 Health Act flexibilities:
- Lead Commissioning
- Integrated Provision
- Pooled Budgets
Section 31 of the Health Act 1999 has now been repealed and replaced, for England, by section 75 of the National Health Service Act 2006, which has consolidated NHS legislation.
The new provision is in exactly the same terms and existing section 31 arrangements will continue as if made under the new powers. Any new partnership arrangements should refer to the new powers rather than to section 31.
Notifying the Department of Health of current agreements
You are reminded of the requirement to notify the Department of Health of all intended use of S31 Health Act Flexibilities.
From April 2007, you are also requested to notify the Department on Section 28a and 28bb partnerships.
The Integrated Care Network (ICN) is commissioned by the Department of Health to maintain the national register of notification forms. Forms can be downloaded from its website.
- Section 31 notification form (opens new window)
- DH Section 28a notification form (opens new window)
- Section 28bb notification form (opens new window)
- Notification forms should be emailed to: MB-HSD-SCJU@dh.gsi.gov.uk (opens new window)
For more information on the Integrated Care Network visit
DH national register of current partnership arrangements
Guidance and practical help
People want and deserve the best public services, which will protect and improve their health and well being. The Section 31 partnership arrangements have been developed to give NHS bodies and local authorities the flexibility to be able to respond effectively to improve services, either by joining up commissioning or existing services, or developing new, co-ordinated services, and to work with other organisations to fulfil this.
Further advice and guidance
Further advice and guidance including local good practice examples and technical briefs can be found on the ICN website.
Checklist for developing a section 31 partnership
ICN has published a checklist on Section 31 partnerships.
Presentation slides for a workshop
You may want to run a workshop at a local level to decide what and how to take forward your partnership. There are slides on the ICN website which could help.
VAT arrangements for joint NHS/local authority initiatives under Section 31
You may need to account for VAT within your partnership.
Nursing functions and Section 31 Partnership Arrangements
If your partnership includes nursing functions, you will need to be clear about delegation to the local authority.
Legislation
Health Act 1999
Health Act 1999 Explanatory Notes
NHS Bodies and Local Authorities Partnership Arrangement Regulations
Latest amendments to the Health Act Partnership Regulations
Money transfers: Section 28 A Directions
Money transfers: Section 28 BB Directions
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