About Special Health Authorities

Special Health Authorities are organisations that provide services to the whole of England. They are independent organisations with their own board, but still fall under ministerial direction.

In 2004 the Department of Health concluded a review of Special Health Authorities which significantly reduced the number of organisations by merging many of the different functions into new larger organisations.

We currently represent the majority of Special Health Authorities; you can see the full list of all organisations below.

• Health Protection Agency
• Mental Health Act Commission
• National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence
• National Patient Safety Agency
• National Treatment Agency
• NHS Appointments Commission
• NHS Blood and Transplant
• NHS Business Services Authority
• NHS Direct
• NHS Litigation Authority
• NHS Professionals
• The Health and Social Care Information Centre
• The NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement