Functions: other
Section 242 – NICE’s charter
1389.This section allows the Secretary of State to make regulations that require NICE to publish and review a NICE charter, which would set out publicly NICE’s purposes and how it proposes to fulfil them.
Section 243 – Additional functions
1390.This section enables NICE to carry out additional income generating functions connected with the provision of health care or social care provided that this work does not interfere with NICE’s core functions. NICE may charge for its services pursuant to these provisions and may do so on what it considers to be the appropriate commercial basis.
Section 244 – Arrangements with other bodies
1391.This section enables NICE to make arrangements with other bodies for their assistance in relation to its services, for example to support the development of its guidance products, and to make payments for this purpose as it sees fit.
Section 245 – Failure by NICE to discharge any of its functions
1392.This section enables the Secretary of State, if he considers that NICE is failing to discharge its functions properly (which includes a failure to discharge a function consistently with what the Secretary of State considers to be the interests of the health service in England), and the failure is significant, to direct NICE to discharge the functions in the way that the Secretary of State specifies and within stated timescales. If NICE fails to comply with such a direction the Secretary of State may discharge the functions concerned himself or may make arrangements for another body to do so. The Secretary of State is required to publish his reasons for exercising the powers under this section.
Section 246 – Protection from personal liability
1393.This section applies existing legislation so that the members and staff of NICE are protected from personal liability whilst carrying out work on behalf of NICE.