The annual report gives an overview of the resources for which the Department of Health is responsible and how these resources have been used in fulfilling the department’s statutory functions. It also includes the Secretary of State’s annual report on the perfomance of the health service in England.
The Secretary of State may give financial assistance to any NHS foundation (FT) including loans, public dividend capital, grants or other payment.The Secretary of State may also guarantee the payment of any amount payable by an FT under an externally financed development agreement. He has similar powers to provide financial assistance to NHS trusts under Schedule 5 of the NHS Act 2006.
‘Financial assistance under section 40 of the National Health Service Act 2006’ sets out the detail of how this power has been exercised in the financial year 2013 to 2014.