Explanatory note

These Regulations further amend the National Health Service (General Medical Services) Regulations 1992 (“the 1992 Regulations”) which regulate the terms on which general medical services are provided under the National Health Service Act 1977.

Part II of these Regulations makes amendments which are consequential upon the coming into force on 1st April 1998 of certain provisions of the National Health Service (Primary Care) Act 1997 and of Regulations made under those provisions.

Part III of these Regulations makes other amendments to the 1992 Regulations. Regulation 10 substitutes a new definition of “medical officer” in regulation 2 of the 1992 Regulations, so as to include doctors not directly employed by the Department of Social Security. Regulation 12(c) substitutes a new paragraph 48 in the doctors' terms of service. The new paragraph 48 permits the information to which it refers to be sought not only by a medical officer but also by an officer of the Department of Social Security on behalf of and at the direction of a medical officer; and makes it a requirement that the doctor must be satisfied that the patient consents before he provides that information. For that purpose it allows the doctor, unless he has reason to believe his patient does not consent, to rely on a written assurance from the medical officer, or an officer of the Department of Social Security, that he holds the patient’s written consent.

The other provisions of regulation 12, and regulations 11, 13 and 14, make minor amendments to correct certain provisions of the 1992 Regulations.