:1.3 - In this Act, "primary healthcare" means:

::1.3.1 - the services provided at the first point of contact that a person has with the healthcare system;

::1.3.2 - including but not limited to General Practice, community pharmacy, denistry, and optometry; and

::1.3.3 - any addiitonal preventative, diagnostic, curative, and management services as necessary.

:1.4 - In this Act, "secondary healthcare" means:

::1.4.1 - the services provided more specialised than those available in primary care;

::1.4.2 - including but not limited to emergency care, ambulance services, specialist care provided at a hospital or another specialist centre.

:1.5 - In this Act, "tertiary healthcare" means:

::1.5.1 - the highest level of medical care that is provided to individuals with complex or specialized health needs;

::1.5.2 - including but not limited to complex surgeries, advanced diagnostic procedures, rehabilitation services, and highly specialised care.

===Article 15 - Health Service Contracts ===

:15.1 - The UHS will be authorised to commission the provision of healtchare services from providers through Health Service Contracts (HSCs) which shall be awarded by the appropriate health authority.

:15.2 - HSCs shall be legally binding agreements between a healthcare service provider and the commissioning authority.

:15.2 - There shall be four categories of HSCs:

::15.2.1 - Primary HSCs shall be awarded for the provision of primary healthcare services;

::15.2.2 - Secondary HSCs shall be awarded for the provision of secondary healthcare services;

::15.2.3 - Tertiary HSCs shall be awarded for the provision of tertiary healthcare services; and

::15.2.4 - Special HSCs shall be awarded for the provision of any additional specialist services.

:15.3 - HSCs shall be awarded for a set duration not exceding five years, and may be renewed or renegotiated upon expiration.

:15.4 - Any healthcare service provider that enters into a HSC –

::15.4.1 - must comply with all terms and conditions outlined in any HSCs they are bound by, as well as adhering to all relevant laws, regulations, and guidelines established by the Minister and the NHA; and

::15.4.2 - shall be subjected to regular quality assurance inspections at the discretion of the NHA in all services provided, including those services which are not under commission by any UHS body.

:Failure to comply with 15.4.1 or 15.4.2 may result in the termination of any and all HSCs awarded to the provider.

''Written by Tom Westbrook, Minister of Health and Education.''