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The National Health Service (General Medical Services) Regulations 1992

Type Statutory-Instrument

Publication 1992-03-10

State In force

Department Queen's Printer of Acts of Parliament

Source legislation.gov.uk

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Made: 10th March 1992

Laid before Parliament: 11th March 1992

Coming into force: 1st April 1992

The Secretary of State for Health, in exercise of the powers conferred by the provisions set out in column (1) of Schedule 1 to this instrument (as amended in particular by the provisions set out in column (2) of that Schedule), and of all other powers enabling him in that behalf, hereby makes the following Regulations;—

PART I — GENERAL

Citation and commencement

1

These Regulations may be cited as the National Health Service (General Medical Services) Regulations 1992 and shall come into force on 1st April 1992.

Interpretation

2

(1) In these Regulations, unless the context otherwise requires—

“the Act” means the National Health Service Act 1977[^f00001];

“assistant” means a doctor who is acting as an assistant to a doctor on the medical list;

“chemist” has the same meaning as in the Pharmaceutical Regulations;

“child” means a person who has not attained the age of 16 years;

“child health surveillance list” shall be construed in accordance with regulation 27;

“child health surveillance services” means the personal medical services described in regulation 28(2) and in Schedule 4;

“contraceptive services” has the same meaning as in regulation 3(1)(c);

“doctor” means a registered medical practitioner;

“domiciliary visit” means a visit by a doctor either to the place where the patient resides or to the place, other than the doctor’s practice premises, where the doctor is obliged, pursuant to paragraph 13 of the terms of service, to render personal medical services to the patient;

“drug” includes medicine;

“FHSA” means a Family Health Services Authority;

“Family Health Services Authority” means a body of that name established by the Secretary of State under section 10(1) of the Act[^f00002];

“full-time doctor” shall be construed in accordance with regulation 15(1)(a);

“group practice” means an association of not less than two doctors both or all of whom— have their names included in an FHSA’s medical list; co-ordinate, in the course of regular contact between them, their respective obligations under the terms of service for doctors to provide personal medical services to their patients; and conduct and manage their practices from at least one common set of practice premises;

“half-time doctor” shall be construed in accordance with regulation 15(1)(c);

“Health Committee” means the Health Committee of the General Medical Council constituted under section 1(3) of the Medical Act 1983[^f00003];

“job-sharing doctor” shall be construed in accordance with regulation 15(1)(d);

“local directory” means the local directory of family doctors maintained by an FHSA pursuant to regulation 8;

“Local Medical Committee” means a committee recognised under section 44 of the Act[^f00004] as being representative of medical practitioners in a locality;

“locality” means the locality for which an FHSA is established;

“maternity medical services” shall be construed in accordance with regulation 31 and Schedule 5;

“medical card” means a card issued by an FHSA to a person for the purpose of enabling him to obtain, or establishing his title to receive, general medical services, other than contraceptive services, maternity medical services, child health surveillance services and minor surgery services;

“medical list” shall be construed in accordance with regulation 4(1);

“medical officer” means a doctor in the service of the Department of Social Security or, as the case may be, of the Welsh Office;

“Medical Practices Committee” means the committee constituted in accordance with section 7 of the Act;

“medical records” means, in relation to any patient, the records maintained in respect of that patient pursuant to paragraph 36 of the terms of service;

“Medical Register” shall be construed in accordance with section 34 of the Medical Act 1983[^f00005];

“minor surgery list” shall be construed in accordance with regulation 32;

“minor surgery services” means the personal medical services described in regulation 33 and in Schedule 6;

“obstetric list” shall be construed in accordance with regulation 30;

“parent” includes, in relation to any child, any adult person who, in the opinion of the doctor, is for the time being discharging in respect of that child the obligations normally attaching to a parent in respect of his child;

“patient” has the same meaning as in paragraph 4 of the terms of service;

“Pharmaceutical Regulations” means the National Health Service (Pharmaceutical Services) Regulations 1992[^f00006];

“practice area” means the area in which a doctor is under an obligation to visit patients, by virtue either of his application for inclusion in the medical list or of any variation to it pursuant to these Regulations or the terms of service;

“practice premises” means, in relation to any doctor, the premises at which he is obliged under paragraph 29 of the terms of service to attend in order to be consulted by, or to provide treatment or services for, his patients;

“Preliminary Proceedings Committee” means the Preliminary Proceedings Committee of the General Medical Council constituted under section 1(3) of the Medical Act 1983;

“Professional Conduct Committee” means the Professional Conduct Committee constituted under section 1(3) of the Medical Act 1983;

“relevant service” means— whole-time service in the armed forces of the Crown in a national emergency as a volunteer or otherwise; or compulsory whole-time service in those forces, including service resulting from any reserve liability; or any equivalent service by a person liable for compulsory whole-time service in those forces;

“restricted doctor” shall be construed in accordance with regulation 15(1)(e);

“restricted list principal” means a doctor who has undertaken to provide general medical services only to a restricted category of patients identified by reference to their connection with a particular establishment or organisation, and “restricted list” shall be construed accordingly;

“restricted services principal” means a doctor who has undertaken to provide general medical services limited to— child health surveillance services; contraceptive services; maternity medical services; or minor surgery services, or to any combination of the above and “restricted services” shall be construed accordingly;

“temporary resident” shall be construed in accordance with regulation 26;

“terms of service” means the terms of service contained, or referred to, in Schedule 2;

“three-quarter-time doctor” shall be construed in accordance with regulation 15(1)(b);

“trainee general practitioner” means a doctor who is being trained in general practice;

“treatment” means medical attendance and treatment, but does not include child health surveillance services, contraceptive services, maternity medical services or minor surgery services, unless the doctor has undertaken to provide such services to the person concerned in accordance with these Regulations;

“the Tribunal” means the Tribunal constituted under section 46 of the Act[^f00007].

(2) Except where expressly provided to the contrary, any document which is required or authorised to be given or sent to a person or body under these Regulations (including the terms of service) may be given or sent by delivering it to that person or, in the case of a body, to the secretary or general manager of that body or by sending it in a pre-paid envelope addressed to him or, in the case of a body, to the secretary or general manager of that body at his usual or last known address.

(3) Unless the context otherwise requires—

(a) any reference in these Regulations—

(i) to a numbered regulation is a reference to the regulation bearing that number in these Regulations,

(ii) to a numbered Part or Schedule is to the Part of, or Schedule to, these Regulations bearing that number,

(iii) to a form thereby prescribed includes a form substantially the same; and

(b) any reference in a regulation or in a Schedule to these Regulations to a numbered paragraph is a reference to the paragraph bearing that number in that regulation or Schedule.

(4) Where, by virtue of directions given under section 13 of the Act, or by virtue of any arrangements made pursuant to regulations made under the Act, a function of the Secretary of State is exercisable by some other person or body, a reference in these Regulations to the Secretary of State in relation to that function includes a reference to the person or body exercising that function on behalf of the Secretary of State[^f00008].

Scope and terms of service

3

(1) The arrangements with doctors for the provision of general medical services which it is the duty of an FHSA under section 29 of the Act[^f00009] to make and, under section 15(1) of the Act[^f00010], to administer shall include arrangements for the provision of—

(a) all necessary and appropriate personal medical services of the type usually provided by general medical practitioners;

(b) child health surveillance services;

(i) the giving of advice to women on contraception,

(ii) the medical examination of women seeking such advice,

(iii) the contraceptive treatment of such women, and

(iv) the supply to such women of contraceptive substances and appliances;

(d) maternity medical services; and

(e) minor surgery services.

(2) The arrangements to which paragraph (1) refers shall incorporate the terms of service set out in Schedule 2, and Schedules 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 shall have effect for the purposes of paragraphs 29, 37, 44(1), 44(2), 47 and 50 respectively of the terms of service.

PART II — THE MEDICAL LIST

Medical list

4

(1) An FHSA shall prepare a list, to be called the medical list, of—

(a) doctors entitled, pursuant to section 30 of the Act, to have their names included in the list; and

(b) doctors for the time being appointed under regulation 25.

(2) The medical list shall be divided into five parts, as follows:—

(a) part I shall contain the names of doctors who are full-time doctors;

(b) part II shall contain the names of doctors who are three-quarter-time doctors;

(d) part IV shall contain the names of doctors who are job-sharing doctors; and

(e) part V shall contain the names of doctors who are restricted doctors.

(3) An FHSA shall, when including the name of any doctor in its medical list, assign the name to that part of the list which is, by virtue of paragraph (2), appropriate in the case of that doctor, having regard to the nature of any condition imposed or treated as imposed in relation to him by the Medical Practices Committee under regulation 15.

(4) In respect of any doctor whose name is included in it, the medical list shall indicate—

(a) if he is on any of the child health surveillance list, the obstetric list or the minor surgery list;

(b) if the general medical services he has undertaken to provide include, exclude or are limited to maternity medical services;

(c) except in the case of a doctor who has requested otherwise, if he has undertaken to provide contraceptive services, and if so—

(i) whether he has so undertaken in respect only of patients for whom he or his partners have also undertaken to provide other general medical services, or

(ii) whether he has so undertaken without such restriction;

(d) if he has been relieved of the responsibility for providing services during certain times under paragraph 18(2) of the terms of service and the name of the doctor with whom the FHSA has made arrangements for the provision of services during such times;

(e) if he is included in the medical list by virtue of his appointment under regulation 25; and

(f) if he is a restricted list principal or a restricted services principal, and if so, the nature of the restricted list or, as the case may be, of the restricted services.

(5) In addition to the name of the doctor and any information required to be included by virtue of paragraph (4), the medical list shall contain—

(a) the address of the practice premises where he agrees to attend for the purpose of treating persons, and the telephone numbers at which he is prepared to receive messages;

(b) particulars of the days and hours when he agrees to be in attendance at such premises;

(d) where he practises in partnership, the name of each partner;

(e) where he participates in a group practice, the name of each other doctor in that group practice;

(f) an indication of the geographical boundary of his practice area by reference to a sketch, diagram or plan and details of any conditions as to his practice area attached to the granting of his application by the Medical Practices Committee or, on appeal, by the Secretary of State;

(g) if the FHSA thinks fit, details of that part of the locality in which the doctor undertakes to provide treatment; and

(h) provided that the doctor consents to its inclusion, his date of birth, or, if he does not so consent, the date of his first full registration as a medical practitioner (whether pursuant to the Medical Act 1983[^f00011] or otherwise).

Application for inclusion in the medical list or to succeed to a vacancy

5

(1) An application by a doctor for the inclusion of his name in the medical list shall be made except in a case to which paragraph (2) applies, by sending to the FHSA an application in writing which shall include the information and undertakings specified in Part I of Schedule 3.

(2) An application by a doctor—

(a) to succeed to a practice declared vacant; or

(b) to fill a vacancy which has arisen where the Medical Practices Committee has resolved that an additional doctor is required in a locality otherwise than in succession to another doctor,

shall be made, by sending the application to the FHSA by no later than the date specified in the notice given under regulation 12 in respect of the vacancy to which the application relates, or within such further period as that FHSA may for reasonable cause allow, and shall include the information and undertakings specified in Part II of Schedule 3.

(3) On receiving an application under paragraph (1) the FHSA shall, subject to section 30(1A) of the Act[^f00012] (which contains requirements as to knowledge of English), forthwith send the application to the Medical Practices Committee together with a report containing the information specified in Part IIIA of Schedule 3.

(4) Where a doctor makes an application for the inclusion of his name in the medical list of more than one FHSA, the FHSA in whose locality resides the largest number of individuals who are expected to be on his list of patients, shall send to the Medical Practices Committee the report mentioned in paragraph (3) and any other FHSA shall send the application to the Medical Practices Committee together with a report containing the information specified in Part IIIB of Schedule 3.

(5) Where a doctor makes an application for the inclusion of his name in the medical list only as a restricted list principal the FHSA shall send the application to the Medical Practices Committee together with a report containing the information specified in Part IIIC of Schedule 3.

(6) Where a doctor makes an application for the inclusion of his name in the medical list only as a restricted services principal, the FHSA shall send the application to the Medical Practices Committee together with a report containing the information specified in Part IIID of Schedule 3.

(7) Before making a report under paragraph (3), (4), (5) or (6), the FHSA shall consult the Local Medical Committee.

(8) Where a report mentioned in paragraph (3), (4), (5) or (6) does not support a doctor’s application under paragraph (1), the FHSA shall send to the doctor a copy of that part of the report which does not support his application and the doctor may, within 14 days of receiving it, send to the Medical Practices Committee his representations in writing in response to that report.

(9) In paragraph (2)(a) and in paragraph 14(5) of the terms of service “practice declared vacant” means a practice—

(a) which has been rendered vacant by—

(i) the death of a doctor included in the medical list by virtue of regulation 4(1)(a), or

(ii) the withdrawal or removal of such a doctor from the medical list; and

(b) as respects which the Medical Practices Committee has resolved that a doctor is required to fill the vacancy.

Amendment of or withdrawal from the medical list

6

(1) A doctor shall, unless it is impracticable for him to do so, give notice to the FHSA within 28 days of any occurrence requiring a change in the information recorded about him in the medical list.

(2) A doctor shall, unless it is impracticable for him to do so, give notice in writing to the FHSA at least 3 months in advance of any date on which he intends either—

(a) to withdraw his name from any of the medical list, the child health surveillance list, the obstetric list or the minor surgery list; or

(b) to cease to provide any of the following services, namely child health surveillance services, contraceptive services, maternity medical services, or minor surgery services.

(3) Subject to paragraph (6), the FHSA shall—

(a) on receiving notice from any doctor pursuant to paragraph (1), amend the medical list in relation to that doctor; and

(b) in the case of a notice pursuant to paragraph (2), so amend the medical list, the child health surveillance list, the obstetric list or the minor surgery list, as the case may be, either—

(i) on the date which falls 3 months after the date of the notice, or

(ii) on the date from which the FHSA has agreed that the withdrawal or cessation shall take effect,

whichever is the earlier.

(4) Any notice pursuant to paragraph (2) may not be withdrawn except with the consent of the FHSA.

(5) Where the Medical Practices Committee notifies the FHSA that, in relation to any doctor whose name is included in the medical list, it has varied under regulation 16 any condition mentioned in paragraph (1)(a)(i) of that regulation, the FHSA shall amend the medical list by transferring the name of that doctor to that part of the list which, having regard to the nature of the condition as varied, is appropriate in his case by virtue of regulation 4(2).

(6) Where, in relation to any doctor, representations are made to the Tribunal under section 46 of the Act[^f00013] (disqualification of practitioners) that his continued inclusion in the medical list would be prejudicial to the efficient provision of general medical services, the doctor shall not, except with the consent of the Secretary of State, be entitled to have his name removed from the medical list until the proceedings on those representations have been determined.

Removal from the medical list

7

(1) Where an FHSA determines that a doctor whose name has been included in its medical list—

(a) has died;

(b) is no longer a doctor; or

(c) is the subject of a direction given by the Professional Conduct Committee under section 36 of the Medical Act 1983[^f00014] (erasure of name from the register or suspension of registration) or of an order made by that Committee under section 38(1) of that Act (immediate suspension),

it shall remove his name from the medical list with effect from the date of its determination or, where sub-paragraph (c) applies, the date on which the direction or order takes effect, if that date is later than the date of the FHSA’s determination.

(2) Where an FHSA determines, in accordance with paragraphs (3) and (4), that a doctor whose name has been included in the medical list for the preceding six months has not during that period provided any general medical services personally, the FHSA may remove his name from the medical list.

(3) In calculating the period of six months referred to in paragraph (2) the FHSA shall disregard—

(a) any period during which the doctor provided no general medical services by reason only that his registration as a medical practitioner was suspended as mentioned in section 29(8) of the Act[^f00015] (suspension by direction or order of the Health Committee or by interim order of the Preliminary Proceedings Committee); and

(b) any period during which the doctor was performing relevant service.

(4) Before making any determination under paragraph (2) the FHSA shall—

(a) give the doctor 28 days' notice of its intention;

(b) afford the doctor an opportunity of making representations to the FHSA in writing or (if he so wishes) in person; and

(5) Where under paragraph (2) the FHSA determines to remove a doctor’s name from its medical list it shall give notice in writing of its determination to the doctor together with the reasons for it and inform him of his right of appeal under paragraph (6).

(6) A doctor to whom a notice has been given under paragraph (5) may, within 21 days of receipt of the notice, appeal to the Secretary of State against the decision of the FHSA, and the FHSA shall not remove the doctor from the medical list until—

(a) if no appeal is made, the expiration of the period of 21 days; or

(b) if an appeal is made, the appeal is determined.

(7) An appeal under paragraph (6) shall be made in writing and shall set out the grounds of appeal.

(8) On any appeal pursuant to paragraph (6), the Secretary of State may hold an oral hearing of the appeal and in such a case shall—

(a) appoint one or more persons to hear the appeal who shall report to him on the appeal; and

(b) not less than 14 days before the date fixed for the hearing, give notice in writing to the appellant and to the FHSA.

(9) Where the Secretary of State holds an oral hearing of an appeal pursuant to paragraph (8), the appellant and the FHSA may be represented by counsel, solicitor or any other person.

(10) Where the Secretary of State allows the appeal, he shall direct the FHSA not to remove the doctor’s name from the medical list.

(11) The FHSA shall remove from the medical list the name of any doctor who has attained the age of 70 years, with effect from the date on which he attained that age.

(12) The FHSA shall give to any doctor whose name is to be removed from the medical list in accordance with paragraph (11)—

(a) notice in writing to that effect not less than 12 months nor more than 13 months before the date on which his name is to be removed; and

(b) a further such notice not less than 3 months nor more than 4 months before that date,

but the failure to give notice to any doctor as required by sub-paragraph (a) or (b) shall not prevent the removal of that doctor’s name from the medical list in accordance with paragraph (11).

Local directory of family doctors

8

(1) Subject to the requirements of this regulation and regulation 9, an FHSA shall prepare, and thereafter maintain, in addition to the medical list, a list to be known as the local directory of family doctors comprising, in respect of each doctor whose name is included in its medical list, the following information:—

(a) all the information included in respect of the doctor in the medical list of the FHSA, other than—

(i) information included pursuant to regulation 4(4)(d), and

(ii) his date of birth, unless the doctor has agreed to its inclusion in the local directory;

(b) where the doctor’s date of birth is included in the medical list but he has not agreed to its inclusion in the local directory, the date of his first full registration as a medical practitioner whether pursuant to the Medical Act 1983[^f00016] or otherwise;

(d) details of any medical qualification held by the doctor which he is entitled to have registered pursuant to section 16 of the Medical Act 1983 (registration of qualifications), including the date on which the qualification was awarded;

(e) the nature of any clinic provided by the doctor for his patients and the frequency with which it is held;

(f) the number of assistants and trainee general practitioners employed by him;

(g) details of—

(i) the number of other persons employed or available at his practice premises to assist him in the discharge of his obligations under the terms of service,

(ii) the nature of the services provided by each such person, and

(iii) the average number of hours normally worked by each such person during any week;

(h) the terms of any consent granted to the doctor by the FHSA or, on appeal, by the Secretary of State, pursuant to paragraph 22 of the terms of service, concerning the use of a deputising service; and

(i) where, and to the extent that, the doctor so requests—

(i) details of any languages, other than English, spoken by the doctor or by any person referred to in sub-paragraphs (f) or (g), and

(ii) details of any particular clinical interests of the doctor.

(2) Paragraph (1) shall apply in the case of a restricted list principal or a restricted services principal only to the extent that the FHSA sees fit.

(3) The FHSA may, to the extent that it sees fit, also include in the local directory other details or material relating to general medical services, general dental services, general ophthalmic services and pharmaceutical services in its locality.

(4) The local directory shall include the name of each doctor in alphabetical order.

(5) Where a doctor practises in partnership or in a group practice with other doctors, the information regarding his practice which falls to be included in the local directory pursuant to paragraph (1)(e), (f), (g), (h) and (i) may, provided each doctor in the partnership or, as the case may be, the group practice agrees, be included in the entry relating to only one of those doctors.

(6) Notwithstanding the provisions of regulation 37, the FHSA may compile extracts from the information in the local directory by reference to geographical areas of the FHSA’s locality, and may make any such extracts available to persons to whom, in the opinion of the FHSA, it is likely to be of interest.

Amendment of local directory

9

(1) A doctor shall, unless it is impracticable for him to do so, notify the FHSA within 28 days of any occurrence requiring a change in the information recorded about him in the local directory.

(2) The FHSA shall, in the event of a notification pursuant to paragraph (1), make any necessary amendment to the local directory.

PART III — MEDICAL PRACTICES COMMITTEE

Appointment of members and tenure of office

10

(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) to (4), the chairman and other members of the Medical Practices Committee shall be appointed for a period of three years expiring on 31st March in any year.

(2) A member may be re-appointed on the expiration of his term of office.

(3) A member may resign by giving notice in writing to the Secretary of State, and a member who is appointed as being a person actively engaged in medical practice shall be deemed to have resigned if he ceases to be so engaged.

(4) In the case of a vacancy in membership occasioned by death or by resignation (including deemed resignation under paragraph (3)), a person shall be appointed to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the period for which his predecessor was appointed.

Reports by the FHSA

11

(1) An FHSA shall, at least once in every three years, make to the Medical Practices Committee a report, containing the information set out in Part IV of Schedule 3, to enable the Medical Practices Committee to judge the adequacy of the medical services in the locality or its different parts.

(2) Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4), where a doctor dies or his name is otherwise withdrawn or removed form the medical list, except where the inclusion of that doctor’s name in the list was by virtue only of his appointment under regulation 25, the FHSA shall make a report to the Medical Practices Committee containing the information set out in Part V of Schedule 3 and shall advise as to the need for filling the vacancy.

(3) Where the doctor who has died or whose name is otherwise withdrawn or removed from the medical list was included in the medical list of more than one FHSA, the FHSA in whose locality resides the largest number of individuals who are on his list of patients shall make a report to the Medical Practices Committee containing the information set out in Part V of Schedule 3 and advising as to the need for filling the vacancy and any other FHSA shall make a report to the Medical Practices Committee containing only the information set out in paragraphs 1(a) and (c) and 7 of Part V of Schedule 3.

(4) Where the doctor who has died or whose name is otherwise withdrawn or removed from the medical list was included in the list only as a restricted services principal, the FHSA shall make a report to the Medical Practices Committee containing only the information set out in paragraph 1(a) and (b) of Part V of Schedule 3.

(5) Before making any report under paragraph (1), (2), (3) or (4) the FHSA shall consult the Local Medical Committee.

Advertisement of vacancies

12

(1) Where it has been resolved that a vacancy has arisen or is about to arise in any locality, the FHSA for that locality shall, within such period as the Medical Practices Committee shall direct, give notice of the vacancy in accordance with paragraph (2).

(2) A notice of a vacancy—

(a) shall include—

(i) details of the nature and location of the vacancy,

(ii) where the vacancy is one in connection with which the Medical Practices Committee has indicated to the FHSA the nature of any condition which it is likely to impose under section 33(4) of the Act in relation to a successful applicant, details of that condition, and

(iii) the date by which any application to fill the vacancy must be sent or delivered to that FHSA;

(b) may include such other information about the vacancy or the locality as that FHSA considers appropriate, and

(c) shall be published in such manner as appears to that FHSA to be likely to bring the vacancy to the attention of doctors within and outside its locality.

(3) In this regulation and in regulation 13, “vacancy” means a requirement for—

(a) an additional doctor to provide general medical services otherwise than in succession to another doctor, as mentioned in regulation 5(2)(b); or

(b) a doctor to succeed to a practice which has been rendered vacant, as mentioned in regulation 5(6).

Selection of applicants by FHSA

13

(1) An application under regulation 5(2) in respect of a vacancy shall be an application to which the provisions of section 33(2A)[^f00017] of the Act shall apply, and shall be dealt with by the FHSA in accordance with the following provisions of this regulation.

(2) Where the FHSA receives more than one such application in connection with any vacancy, it shall select the applicant whose application it wishes to be considered by the Medical Practices Committee.

(3) Before making its selection for the purposes of paragraph (2), the FHSA may give to any applicant for the vacancy an opportunity of making—

(a) representations to it in writing; and

(b) where the FHSA sees fit, representations to it in person.

(4) When the FHSA has selected an applicant, it shall—

(a) notify each applicant in writing whether or not he has been selected;

(b) inform any applicant who has not been selected of his right of appeal to the Secretary of State on a point of law under section 33(2A)(c) of the Act; and

(c) subject to paragraph (5), send the application of the selected applicant to the Medical Practices Committee, indicating in writing that it wishes that application to be considered by that Committee.

(5) An application shall not be sent to the Medical Practices Committee under paragraph (4)(c) until—

(a) the time has expired for bringing an appeal under section 33(2A)(c) of the Act in connection with the non-selection of any applicant for the vacancy to which the application relates; or

(b) where such an appeal is made—

(i) the appeal has been determined adversely to the appellant, or

(ii) where the appeal is successful, the FHSA has reconsidered the application in respect of which the appeal is made,

whichever is the latest.

(6) Where the FHSA receives only one application in connection with any vacancy it shall—

(a) send the application to the Medical Practices Committee indicating in writing that it is the only application for that vacancy; and

(b) notify the applicant in writing that it has done so.

Determination of applications by Medical Practices Committee

14

(1) The Medical Practices Committee shall determine applications under regulation 5 in accordance with the following paragraphs of this regulation.

(2) Subject to paragraph (3), in relation to any such application, the Medical Practices Committee shall—

(a) where the application is made under regulation 5(1), consider the report made by the FHSA with respect to the application and any representations in writing made by the doctor in accordance with regulation 5(8);

(b) before granting the application, ascertain whether or not the applicant is suitably experienced as mentioned in section 31 of the Act; and

(i) which of the conditions mentioned in regulation 15(1) is appropriate in the case of the applicant, and

(ii) whether it should impose in relation to the applicant any condition mentioned in section 33(4)(b) of the Act.

(3) The Medical Practices Committee shall not determine an application under regulation 5(1) until it has received any representations in writing made by the doctor in accordance with regulation 5(8) or until the time allowed for the making of representations has expired, whichever is the earlier.

(4) The Medical Practices Committee shall not consider any application made under regulation 5(2) unless the FHSA has indicated that—

(a) the application is the only one for the vacancy in question; or

(b) it has selected the application for consideration by that Committee.

(5) Subject to paragraph (6), any determination of the Medical Practices Committee shall be the decision of the majority of those members who are present and voting at a meeting of the Committee.

(6) At any such meeting, four members of the Medical Practices Committee shall form a quorum, and in the case of an equality of votes the chairman shall have a second or casting vote.

(7) The Medical Practices Committee shall give notice in writing to the applicant whose application it has considered, the FHSA and the Secretary of State of its determination of that application, and shall inform any such applicant whose application is refused or granted subject to conditions of his right of appeal to the Secretary of State on a point of law.

(8) Where the Medical Practices Committee refuses an application under this regulation, it shall, when it gives notice to the applicant of its determination, include with the notice—

(a) a statement of the reasons for its decision; and

(b) in the case of an application under regulation 5(1), where the report from the FHSA to the Medical Practices Committee, made pursuant to regulation 5(3), (4), (5), or as the case may be, (6) supported the application, a copy of that part of the report.

Conditions under which general medical services are to be provided

15

(1) For the purposes of section 33(4)(a) of the Act, the condition by reference to which the Medical Practices Committee shall specify the provision of general medical services for which the applicant will be entitled to be remunerated is that he shall provide such services as—

(a) a full-time doctor, that is to say a doctor who is to provide general medical services during not less than 26 hours in any week in which he is, pursuant to paragraph 29 of his terms of service, normally available to provide such services;

(b) a three-quarter-time doctor, that is to say a doctor who is to provide such services during less than 26 hours but not less than 19 hours in any such week;

(c) a half-time doctor, that is to say a doctor who is to provide such services during less than 19 hours, but not less than 13 hours, in any such week;

(d) a job-sharing doctor, that is to say a doctor—

(i) who is to practise in partnership with another doctor whose name is included in the medical list, and

(ii) who is himself to provide such services during less than 26 hours in any such week, and

(iii) for whom the hours during which he is to provide such services are, when aggregated with the hours of that other doctor, to amount to not less than 26 hours in any such week; or

(e) a restricted doctor, that is to say a doctor—

(i) who is a restricted list principal or a restricted services principal, and

(ii) who is to provide general medical services during such number of hours in any week as he shall have specified in his application pursuant to regulation 5.

(2) Where on 1st January 1991 a doctor’s name was included in the medical list, that doctor shall be treated as if the Medical Practices Committee had on that date imposed in relation to him—

(a) where the doctor was at that date available for not less than 26 hours in any week, the condition mentioned in paragraph (1)(a);

(b) where the doctor was at that date available for less than 26 hours but not less than 19 hours in any week, the condition mentioned in paragraph (1)(b);

(c) where the doctor was at that date available for less than 19 hours but not less than 13 hours in any week, the condition mentioned in paragraph (1)(c);

(d) where the doctor was at that date available jointly with another doctor for not less than 26 hours in any week, the condition mentioned in paragraph (1)(d); or

(e) where the doctor was at that date a restricted list principal or a restricted services principal, the condition mentioned in paragraph (1)(e), but as if for the reference in that sub-paragraph to the hours specified by the doctor in his application, there was substituted a reference to the hours for which the doctor was, in any week, normally available to his patients immediately before 1st January 1991.

Variation of conditions

16

(1) A doctor whose name is included in a medical list may apply, in accordance with paragraph (2), for the variation of any condition—

(a) imposed in relation to him by the Medical Practices Committee—

(i) under regulation 15(1) or treated, by virtue of regulation 15(2) as having been imposed by that Committee, in relation to the extent to which that doctor may carry out remunerated work, or

(ii) in accordance with section 33(4)(b) of the Act, excluding the provision by that doctor of general medical services in a specified part or parts of the locality of an FHSA; or

(b) specified in relation to him by the Secretary of State on the determination of any appeal from a decision of the Medical Practices Committee.

(2) An application for the purposes of paragraph (1) shall be made in writing to the FHSA and shall include the information specified in Part VI of Schedule 3.

(3) On receipt of an application under this regulation, the FHSA shall forward the application to the Medical Practices Committee, together with its observations in writing on the application.

(4) Where the observations mentioned in paragraph (3) do not support the doctor’s application under paragraph (1), the FHSA shall send to the doctor a copy of that part of those observations which do not support his application and the doctor may, within 14 days of receiving it, send to the Medical Practices Committee his representations in writing in response to the observations.

(5) The provisions of regulation 14(5) and (6) as respects the constitution and quorum of the Medical Practices Committee shall apply in the case of the determination by that Committee of an application under this regulation as they apply to the determination of an application under that regulation.

(6) The Medical Practices Committee shall not consider an application under this regulation until it has received representations from the doctor under paragraph (4) or until the time allowed under that paragraph for the making of representations has expired, whichever is the earlier.

(7) On consideration of an application under this regulation the Medical Practices Committee—

(a) shall take account of the observations made by the FHSA and of any representations made by the doctor in response;

(b) in determining the application, may refuse to vary the condition in question, or may—

(i) in the case of a condition mentioned in paragraph (1)(a)(i), vary the condition by imposing in relation to the doctor such other condition mentioned in regulation 15(1)(a) to (e) as has been requested in the application; and

(ii) in the case of a condition mentioned in paragraph (1)(a)(ii), vary the condition by specifying therein such other part or parts of the relevant locality (in which the doctor is to be excluded from providing general medical services) as that Committee considers appropriate,

(8) Where the Medical Practices Committee refuses under paragraph (7)(b) to vary a condition it shall, when it gives notice to the doctor of its decision—

(a) include with the notice—

(i) a statement of the reasons for its decision, and

(ii) in any case where the observations made by the FHSA to the Medical Practices Committee in pursuance of paragraph (3) supported the application, a copy of that part of those observations, and

(b) advise the doctor in writing of his right of appeal under paragraph (10).

(9) Where the Medical Practices Committee varies a condition in the manner mentioned in head (ii) of paragraph 7(b), it shall, when it gives notice to the doctor of its decision—

(a) include with the notice a statement of the reasons for its decision; and

(b) advise the doctor in writing of his right of appeal under paragraph (10).

(10) A doctor may appeal to the Secretary of State on a point of law against the refusal of the Medical Practices Committee to vary a condition under this regulation or its variation of a condition in the manner mentioned in head (ii) of paragraph (7)(b), and—

(a) paragraphs (2) to (9) of regulation 17 shall apply to the making and determination of any such appeal; and

(b) where the Secretary of State allows such an appeal, he shall remit the application to that Committee for reconsideration, and regulation 17(11) shall apply in that event.

Appeal to the Secretary of State

17

(1) Any appeal to the Secretary of State on a point of law—

(a) pursuant to section 33(2A)(c) of the Act by a doctor who has not been selected by an FHSA as mentioned in paragraph (c) of that subsection;

(b) pursuant to section 33(5) of that Act by a doctor whose application under section 30 of that Act has been refused by the Medical Practices Committee or has been granted by that Committee subject to conditions; or

shall be made and determined in accordance with this regulation.

(2) A doctor may appeal by sending to the Secretary of State a notice of appeal within 21 days of the date on which notice of the decision of the FHSA or, as the case may be, the Medical Practices Committee is sent to him.

(3) A notice of appeal shall contain a concise statement of any point of law in respect of which the doctor contends that the decision of the FHSA or, as the case may be, the Medical Practices Committee is erroneous.

(4) If it appears to the Secretary of State that the appeal is of such a nature that it can properly be determined without an oral hearing, he may dispense with an oral hearing and determine the appeal summarily, and shall communicate his decision, together with the reasons for it, in writing to the appellant, and the FHSA or, as the case may be, the Medical Practices Committee.

(5) If the Secretary of State is of the opinion that an oral hearing is required, he shall appoint—

(a) a person who is a barrister or a solicitor; and

(b) where the Secretary of State sees fit, one or more other persons,

to hear the appeal.

(6) An oral hearing shall take place at such time and place as the Secretary of State may direct and, not less than 14 days before the date fixed for the hearing, notice of the hearing shall be sent to the appellant, the FHSA or, as the case may be, the Medical Practices Committee and in the case of an appeal mentioned in paragraph (1)(a), to the doctor whose application for appointment to the vacancy to which the appellant’s application relates was selected for consideration by the Medical Practices Committee.

(7) Subject to paragraphs (8) and (9), the procedure at the oral hearing shall be such as the person or persons hearing the appeal shall determine.

(8) The appellant and any of the parties to whom notice of the hearing is required to be given may attend and be heard in person or by counsel or solicitor or other representative.

(9) The FHSA or, as the case may be, the Medical Practices Committee, may be represented at the hearing by any duly authorised officer or member or by counsel or solicitor.

(10) The persons hearing the appeal shall make a report to the Secretary of State stating the relevant facts and their conclusions and the Secretary of State, after taking the report into consideration, shall give his decision and communicate it, together with the reasons for it, in writing to—

(a) the appellant;

(b) the FHSA or, as the case may be, the Medical Practices Committee; and

(11) Where, on allowing an appeal, the Secretary of State remits an application to the FHSA or, as the case may be, to the Medical Practices Committee for reconsideration—

(a) he shall give to that FHSA or, as the case may be, the Medical Practices Committee, such directions as appear to him to be desirable with a view to ensuring the proper determination of the application in accordance with the relevant law; and

(b) the FHSA or, as the case may be, the Medical Practices Committee, shall redetermine the application and in so doing shall comply with any directions given by the Secretary of State under sub-paragraph (a) of this paragraph with respect to the determination of that application.

Certificate that transaction does not involve sale of goodwill

18

A certificate issued by the Medical Practices Committee under paragraph 1(3) of Schedule 10 to the Act shall be in the form set out in Schedule 7.

PART IV — GENERAL MEDICAL SERVICES OTHER THAN CHILD HEALTH SURVEILLANCE SERVICES, CONTRACEPTIVE SERVICES, MATERNITY MEDICAL SERVICES AND MINOR SURGERY SERVICES

Doctors' lists

19

(1) In respect of each doctor in its medical list, an FHSA shall prepare and keep up to date a list of—

(a) the patients in its locality accepted by or assigned to the doctor under this Part, otherwise than as temporary residents; and

(b) the patients in its locality for whom the doctor has, under paragraph 18 of the terms of service, accepted responsibility during certain periods only.

(2) The FHSA shall from time to time give each doctor in its medical list the information described in Part VII of Schedule 3 with regard to persons included in or removed from his lists.

(3) Subject to regulation 22(7), a person accepted by a doctor for inclusion in his list shall be included in the list from the date on which notification of acceptance is received by the FHSA.

(4) Where a person for whose treatment a doctor is responsible dies, or is absent from the United Kingdom for a period of more than three months, he shall be removed from the doctor’s list from the date on which the FHSA first receives notification of the death or that the absence has exceeded three months.

(5) Where a person for whose treatment a doctor is responsible—

(a) leaves the United Kingdom with the intention of being away for a period of at least three months;

(b) is in Her Majesty’s forces;

he shall be removed from the doctor’s list from the date on which the FHSA first receives notification of the departure, enlistment or imprisonment.

(6) Any removal of a person from a doctor’s list caused by the transfer of a person to the list of another doctor, otherwise than in pursuance of a notice under regulation 22(7) or (10), shall take effect—

(a) from the date on which the FHSA receives notification of the acceptance of the person by the last-named doctor; or

(b) subject to the consent of the FHSA, from such date, being not earlier than the date of that consent, as may be agreed between the doctors.

(7) Any other removal of a person from a doctor’s list shall take effect from the date on which notice of removal is sent by the FHSA to the doctor or from such other date, not being earlier than that date, as may be specified in the notice.

Application for services

20

(1) An application to a doctor for inclusion in his list for the provision of general medical services shall be made by delivering to the doctor a medical card or a form of application signed (in either case) by the applicant or a person authorised on his behalf.

(2) An application to a doctor for inclusion in his list may be made (otherwise than by the doctor concerned)—

(a) on behalf of any child, by either parent, or in the absence of both parents, the guardian or other adult person who has the care of the child; or

(b) on behalf of any person who is incapable of making such an application, by a relative or other adult person who has the care of such person; or

(i) in the care of an authority to whose care he has been committed under the provisions of the Children Act 1989, by a person duly authorised by that authority,

(ii) in the care of a voluntary organisation, by that organisation or a person duly authorised by it.

Assignment of persons to doctors

21

(1) Where—

(a) a person who is not on the list of any doctor has been refused acceptance by a doctor for inclusion in his list; or

(b) a person has been refused acceptance by a doctor as a temporary resident,

he may apply to the FHSA for assignment to a doctor, and the provisions of this regulation shall apply in relation to that application.

(2) An application under paragraph (1) shall be made in writing and shall be considered by the FHSA, which shall assign the applicant to such doctor in its medical list as it thinks fit, having regard to—

(a) the respective distances between the person’s residence and the practice premises of the doctors in the part of the locality in question;

(b) whether within the previous six months the person has been removed from the list of any doctor in that part of the locality at the request of that doctor; and

(c) such other circumstances, including those concerning the doctors in that part of the locality and their practices, as the FHSA think relevant,

and shall notify the doctor accordingly.

(3) Nothing in paragraph (2) shall—

(a) require a doctor to provide child health surveillance services, contraceptive services, maternity medical services or minor surgery services for a patient who is assigned to him unless, pursuant to regulation 28, 29, 31 or 33, as the case may be, he has accepted that patient for the provision of such services; or

(b) enable the FHSA to assign any person to a doctor whose list is at or exceeds the maximum permitted by regulation 24, without the consent of the Secretary of State.

(4) Where the Secretary of State refuses his consent for the purpose of paragraph (3)(b), and the FHSA is satisfied, after due enquiry, that the person concerned still wishes to be assigned to a doctor it shall, as soon as practicable, assign that person to another doctor or, as the case may be, seek the Secretary of State’s consent, where required under paragraph (3)(b), for assignment to another doctor.

(5) A doctor to whom a person has been assigned by the FHSA under paragraph (2) or (4) may, within 7 days of receiving notice of it, make representations in writing to that FHSA against that assignment.

(6) Where representations are made under paragraph (5) the FHSA shall, subject to paragraphs (7) and (8), at its next meeting, review its initial assignment and shall either confirm or revise it.

(7) Where a doctor makes representations under paragraph (5), the FHSA shall, before meeting to confirm or revise the assignment, give that doctor the opportunity to address it in the course of an oral hearing in support of those representations.

(8) No person who participated in the making of an initial assignment under this regulation shall participate in a review under paragraph (6).

(9) The FHSA shall, within 7 days of making a determination under paragraph (7), notify the doctor accordingly, and, where an initial assignment made under paragraph (2) has been revised, it shall notify also the patient and the other doctor to whom the patient is assigned under the revised determination.

(10) A doctor who has made representations under paragraph (5) shall remain responsible for the treatment of the person assigned to him pending notification under paragraph (9) of the confirmation or revision of the assignment by the FHSA.

(11) The FHSA may exempt from the liability to have persons assigned to him under this regulation any doctor who applies to that FHSA for that purpose, and in considering such an application shall have regard to the doctor’s age, state of health and the number of persons on his list and the FHSA shall notify any such doctor in writing of any decision under this paragraph.

Change of doctor

22

(1) A person who is on a doctor’s list of patients may apply to any other doctor providing general medical services for acceptance on that other doctor’s list of patients.

(2) An application for the purposes of paragraph (1) shall be made in accordance with regulation 20.

(3) A person who has made an application under paragraph (1) and has been refused acceptance by any doctor may apply to the FHSA in whose locality he resides for assignment to a doctor whose name is included in the FHSA’s medical list.

(4) The FHSA shall inform a doctor as soon as practicable of the removal of a patient from his list on transfer to the list of another doctor.

(5) Subject to paragraphs (6) to (8), the FHSA shall, on the death of, or on the removal or withdrawal from the medical list of the name of any doctor, notify the persons on the list of that doctor of the death, removal or withdrawal.

(6) Where a sucessor is appointed to a practice the FHSA shall, by notice in writing, inform the persons on the list of the doctor who last carried on that practice of the name of the succeessor (and, if more than one, of each of them) and of the names of any partners and of the address of their practice premises.

(7) The notice mentioned in paragraph (6) shall state that the person to whom it is given will be deemed, from the date specified in the notice, to be on the list of a named successor, unless that person within 14 days of that date gives notice in writing to the FHSA that he does not wish to be included in that list.

(8) Where no successor is to be appointed to a practice, the FHSA shall notify the persons on the list of the doctor who last carried on that practice of their right to apply to another doctor in the medical list for acceptance.

(9) A doctor who has returned to his practice at the end of a period of relevant service shall, within one month of his return, notify the FHSA in writing that he has resumed practice.

(10) Where the FHSA has been so notified it shall, within 28 days, send a notice to every person who—

(a) was on the doctor’s list at the beginning of such service; and

(b) is still residing at the address at which he was then residing and who has been transferred by reason only of the doctor’s departure on relevant service to the list of another doctor,

stating that the first doctor has resumed practice and that the person will be restored to his list unless, not later than 14 days after the date of the notice, that person gives notice in writing to the FHSA that he wishes to remain on the list of the other doctor.

(11) After the expiry of the period of 14 days mentioned in paragraph (10), the FHSA shall inform each of the other doctors concerned of the persons who are transferred from his list to the list of the first doctor and shall also inform each of those other doctors of the persons who have elected to remain on his list.

(12) Where a doctor is relieved of the obligation to provide services at certain periods under paragraph 18 of the terms of service—

(a) the FHSA shall notify the persons on his list of the fact and the terms of the relief; and

(b) if the doctor subsequently resumes responsibility for providing services at all times, the FHSA shall notify the persons on his list of the fact.

(13) Nothing in this regulation shall require the FHSA to give any notice concerning the making or termination of arrangements under regulation 25.

Removal from doctor’s list

23

(1) Where a person no longer wishes to avail himself of general medical services—

(a) he may at any time give notice to the FHSA that he wishes to be removed from a doctor’s list; and

(b) the FHSA shall notify him and the doctor concerned that on a specified date, being 14 days after the date of the receipt of the notice by the FHSA, his name will be removed from the doctor’s list.

(2) Subject to paragraph (4), where the FHSA is satisfied that a person on the list of a doctor providing general medical services in its locality no longer resides at a place where that doctor is under an obligation under these Regulations to visit and treat him, the FHSA shall—

(a) inform that person and the doctor that the doctor is no longer obliged to visit and treat the person;

(b) advise the person either to obtain the doctor’s agreement under paragraph 13(1)(b)(ii) of the terms of service to visit him if his condition so requires, or to seek acceptance by another doctor; and

(c) inform the person that if, after the expiration of 30 days from the date of the letter of advice mentioned in sub-paragraph (b), he has not acted in accordance with the advice, the FHSA will remove him from the doctor’s list.

(3) If at the expiration of the period of 30 days referred to in paragraph (2)(c) the FHSA has not been notified of the action taken, it shall remove the patient from the doctor’s list and inform him and the doctor accordingly.

(4) Where a person on the list of a doctor providing general medical services has moved to an address outside the FHSA’s locality or the address of that person is no longer known to the FHSA, the FHSA shall—

(a) give to that doctor notice in writing that it intends, at the end of the period of six months commencing with the date of the notice, to remove the person from the doctor’s list; and

(b) at the end of that period, remove the person from the doctor’s list, unless within that period the doctor satisfies the FHSA that he is still responsible for providing general medical services for that person, including visiting and treating him when necessary.

(5) Where the FHSA receives particulars of persons who are pupils at, or staff or residents of, a school or residential institution where a doctor provides general medical services, it shall remove from that doctor’s list any persons appearing on his list as pupils at, or staff or residents of, that school or institution who are not shown in those particulars.

(6) Where the FHSA has made a request to a school or residential institution to provide the particulars mentioned in paragraph (5) and has not received them, it may, after consulting the doctor, remove from the doctor’s list any persons appearing on the list as pupils at, or staff or residents of, the school or institution.

Limitation on number of persons on doctors' lists

24

(1) This regulation applies as to the aggregate maximum number (“the maximum number”) of persons a doctor may have on his list in all localities in which he provides general medical services in addition to—

(a) any persons for whom under paragraph 18 of the terms of service he has accepted responsibility during certain periods only; and

(b) any persons whom he has accepted for the provision of contraceptive services only.

(2) Except as otherwise provided in this regulation, the maximum number shall be—

(a) 3,500, for a doctor carrying on practice otherwise than as an assistant or in a partnership;

(b) 4,500 for a doctor carrying on practice in partnership, subject to a maximum average of 3,500 for each of the partners in the practice,

and, where the doctor employs an assistant, such further number not exceeding 2,000 for each assistant as the FHSA, or, on appeal, the Secretary of State, may decide in the light of the circumstances of the practice and the amount of time given to it by any assistant.

(3) For the purposes of determining the maximum number of persons on the list, the number of persons on the list of an assistant who is a doctor with a list of his own, shall be regarded as being on the list of the doctor by whom he is employed.

(4) For the purposes of paragraph (2), a doctor who is in partnership shall be deemed to be an assistant, and not a partner, unless the FHSA or, on appeal, the Secretary of State is satisfied that—

(a) he discharges the duties and exercises the powers of a partner in connection with the practice of the partnership; and,

(b) either—

(i) in the case of a full-time doctor, he is entitled to a share of the profits which is not less than one third of the share of the partner with the greatest share, or

(ii) in the case of a three-quarter-time doctor, he is entitled to a share of the profits which is not less than one quarter of the share of the partner with the greatest share, or

(iii) in the case of a half-time doctor, he is entitled to a share of the profits which is not less than one fifth of the share of the partner with the greatest share, or

(iv) in the case of a job-sharing doctor who practises in partnership with another job-sharing doctor and at least one further doctor, he is entitled to a share of the profits which, when added to the share of the other job-sharing doctor with whose hours his hours are being aggregated for the purposes of regulation 15(1)(d), is not less than one third of the share of the member of the partnership with the greatest share.

(5) The FHSA shall notify each doctor of the number of patients on his list as at the first day of each period of three months ending 31st March, 30th June, 30th September and 31st December and of the number of any excess over the maximum number.

(6) Subject to paragraphs (10) to (12), if there is an excess, the doctor shall, within two months from the date on which the excess was notified to him, take steps to reduce his list to the maximum number by—

(a) taking a partner;

(b) engaging an assistant; or

(c) notifying the FHSA of the names of the necessary number of patients on his list whom he wishes to have removed from his list under paragraph 9 or 10 of the terms of service,

and if at the end of that time such measures have not been completely effective, the FHSA shall remove from his list the necessary number of patients, the selection of such patients being at the discretion of the FHSA.

(7) Where—

(a) a doctor gives notice under paragraph (6)(c); or

(b) a doctor whose name is included in the medical list in respect of more than one address and who ceases to practise at one of them, informs the FHSA of his wish to have removed from his list the persons who would have attended for treatment at the address at which he will no longer practise,

the FHSA shall, subject to paragraph (8), send a notice to each person so named to inform him that he should apply to another doctor for acceptance.

(8) Where the FHSA, after consulting the Local Medical Committee, accepts an application from the doctor for the notices under paragraph (7) to name another doctor who—

(a) is willing to accept the person on his list; and

(b) has given his written consent in circumstances where such acceptance will not result in an excess number of patients on that other doctor’s list (or if that other doctor is in partnership, on the average of the partnership lists),

the notices shall be issued accordingly and the name of any such person shall be included on the list of the doctor named in the notice until such time as the person has chosen another doctor or has informed the FHSA in writing that he wishes not to be so included.

(9) Where an excess number of patients is due to—

(a) the creation of a partnership of which the doctor is a member; or

(b) the death or retirement of a partner or the cessation of employment of an assistant in circumstances where the doctor is actively seeking a new partner or assistant,

the FHSA may, on the doctor’s undertaking not to accept further patients other than the children of existing patients, permit him to retain, for such period not exceeding nine months as it may determine from the date of the event which gave rise to the excess number, all the patients on his list (and in a case within sub-paragraph (b) above, on the list, if any, of his former partner or assistant) at that date.

(10) In carrying out its function under this regulation the FHSA shall consult as necessary with any other FHSA whose medical list includes a doctor concerned.

(11) Nothing in this regulation shall—

(a) restrict a doctor from accepting persons who apply to him as temporary residents; or

(b) exempt him from any liability under the terms of service to give treatment immediately required to any person who applies for acceptance or to give emergency treatment.

(12) An appeal under paragraph (2) or (4) shall be made by sending to the Secretary of State a notice of appeal within 30 days of the date on which notice of the decision of the FHSA was given and the notice of appeal shall contain a concise statement of the grounds of appeal.

(13) The Secretary of State shall, on receipt of any notice of appeal under this regulation, send a copy of that notice to the FHSA.

(14) The FHSA may, within 30 days from the date on which the Secretary of State sent a copy of the notice of appeal, submit representations in writing to him on the appeal.

(15) On any appeal pursuant to paragraph (2) or (4), the Secretary of State may, if he thinks fit, hold an oral hearing and in such a case shall—

(a) appoint one or more persons to hear the appeal who shall report to him on the appeal; and

(b) not less than 14 days before the date fixed for the hearing, give notice in writing to the appellant and to the FHSA.

(16) The Secretary of State shall, upon determination by him of an appeal under this regulation, give notice of his decision in writing, together with the reasons for it, to the appellant and to the FHSA.

Temporary provision of services

25

(1) This regulation applies to the making of arrangements for the temporary provision of general medical services.

(2) Where a doctor ceases to be included in the medical list or his registration is suspended as mentioned in section 29(8) of the Act[^f00018], the FHSA may, after consultation with the Local Medical Committee—

(a) make arrangements, for the temporary provision of general medical services for that doctor’s patients, which may consist of or include the appointment of one or more doctors to undertake the treatment of such persons; and

(b) where—

(i) the doctor was included in a medical list by virtue of regulation 4(1)(a) and ceases by reason of death to be so included, and

(ii) within 7 days of the date of death, any person applies to the FHSA in writing on behalf of the estate of that doctor for the appointment of one or more named doctors,

appoint one or more of the named doctors to undertake the treatment of the deceased doctor’s patients.

(3) The FHSA may make such arrangements as it thinks fit for the accommodation and other needs of any doctor appointed under paragraph (2) and, in the case of any doctor appointed under paragraph (2)(b), shall, where practicable, first consult the person who applied to it for the appointment of that doctor.

(4) Subject to paragraph (10), arrangements under paragraph (2) shall subsist for such period as the FHSA may determine, but not beyond the date on which the vacancy is filled or the suspension referred to in paragraph (2) ceases to have effect.

(5) Where it appears to the FHSA, after consultation with the Local Medical Committee, that a doctor is incapable of adequately carrying out his obligations under the terms of service because of his physical or mental condition, it may require him to be medically examined.

(6) Where the FHSA is satisfied—

(a) after receiving from the Local Medical Committee a report under paragraph (9), that because of his physical or mental condition; or

(b) that because of his continued absence,

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