{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/general-medical-services-regulations-northern-ireland-1997/schedule-2/paragraph-55",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/general-medical-services-regulations-northern-ireland-1997/schedule-2/paragraph-55.json",
  "legislation": "nisr/1997/380",
  "legislation_title": "General Medical Services Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/general-medical-services-regulations-northern-ireland-1997",
  "path": "schedule/2/paragraph/55",
  "kind": "paragraph",
  "number": "55",
  "heading": "Inquiries about prescriptions and referrals",
  "text": "(1) A doctor whose name is included in the medical list shall, subject to sub-paragraphs (2) and (3), sufficiently answer any inquiries, whether oral or in writing, from the Board concerning—\n(a) any prescription form issued by the doctor under these terms of service;\n(b) the considerations by reference to which the doctor issues such forms under these terms of service;\n(c) the referral by the doctor under these terms of service of any patient to any other services provided under the Order; and\n(d) the considerations by reference to which the doctor refers patients to any such services.\n(2) An inquiry referred to in sub-paragraph (1) may be made only for the purpose either of obtaining information to assist the Board to discharge its functions or of assisting the doctor in the discharge of his obligations under these terms of service.\n(3) A doctor shall not be obliged to answer any inquiry referred to in sub-paragraph (1) unless it is made by a doctor appointed under regulation 42 who produces, on request, written evidence that he is authorised by the Board to make such an inquiry on behalf of the Board.",
  "extent": "N.I.",
  "status": "prospective",
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [
    {
      "type": "I",
      "label": "I1",
      "text": "Sch. 2 para. 55 in operation at 6.10.1997, see reg. 1"
    }
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  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/1997/380/schedule/2/paragraph/55",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-29T02:27:33.456843+00:00"
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  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
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