Regulation 21 Limit on period of agreements

After regulation 24 insert—

“Limit on period of agreements

24A

(1)

Any agreement (whether or not it is an NHS contract for the purposes of section 4 of the 1990 Act) entered into on or after 1st April 1999 by the members of a fund-holding practice whereby the allotted sum would be applied as provided for in regulation 20, 23 or 24, must comply with the requirements of paragraph (2).

(2)

The agreement shall contain terms the effect of which shall be that—

(a)

it shall come to an end not later than the end of the period of 6 months beginning with the date the agreement was made and that the duration of the agreement may not be extended; and

(b)

without prejudice to the availability of any remedy for breach of the agreement, no rights, liabilities or obligations are imposed beyond the end of that period.”.