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Statutory Instruments made by the National Assembly for Wales |
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You are here: BAILII >> Databases >> Statutory Instruments made by the National Assembly for Wales >> The General Medical Services Transitional and Consequential Provisions (Wales) Order 2004 No. 477 URL: http://www.bailii.org/wales/legis/num_reg/2004/20040477e.html |
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Made | 26th February 2004 | ||
Coming into force | 17th March 2004 |
(4) In this order, the use of the term "it" in relation to the contractor shall be deemed to include a reference to a contractor that is an individual medical practitioner or two or more individuals practising in partnership and related expressions shall be construed accordingly.
(2) A person shall be regarded as practising for the purposes of paragraph (1)(b) if he or she would have been so practising on the date in question except for the fact that on that date -
(3) Where a person is suspended from the Medical Register in the circumstances specified in paragraph (4), or suspended from its medical list or a medical performers list, a Local Health Board shall only be required under paragraph (1) to enter into a general medical services contract with him or her during the period of that suspension if it is satisfied that -
(c) the practitioner has in place adequate arrangements for the provision of services under the contract during the period of his or her suspension.
(4) The circumstances referred to in paragraphs (2)(a) and (3) are suspension -
(5) In relation to any suspension which occurs after the coming into force of articles 13 and 14 of the Medical Act 1983 (Amendment) Order 2002[23], sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) of paragraph (4) shall be read as if they referred to suspension by a Fitness to Practise Panel constituted under Part 3 of Schedule 1 to the 1983 Act in a case relating to deficient professional performance or adverse physical or mental health under -
(6) A Local Health Board shall not be required under paragraph (1) to enter into a general medical services contract with a person for whom it has in place -
for so long as those arrangements continue, unless it is satisfied that, at the time the contract is to be signed, he or she is able to provide (but not perform) services under the contract.
(7) Whenever a Local Health Board is considering refusing to enter into a general medical services contract under paragraph (3) or (6), it shall consult the Local Medical Committee (if any) for its area before making its decision and, in a case where it is considering refusal under paragraph (6), it shall have regard to any written report made to it by the Local Medical Committee under regulation 25(9) of the 1992 Regulations[24].
(8) Where a Local Health Board is refusing to enter into a general medical services contract pursuant to paragraph (3) or (6) it shall notify the prospective contractor in writing of its decision, its reasons for that decision and of the practitioner's right of appeal under article 4.
Appeal against refusal of a contract under article 3
4.
- (1) A person who has been notified by a Local Health Board under article 3(8) of its refusal to enter into a general medical services contract may appeal to the Assembly by giving notice in writing to the Assembly within a period of 28 days beginning on the day that the Local Health Board notified him or her of the refusal.
(2) A notice of appeal under paragraph (1) shall include -
(3) The Assembly may determine the appeal himself or, if it considers it appropriate, appoint a person or persons to consider and determine it.
(4) Before reaching a decision as to who should determine the dispute, the Assembly shall, within the period of 7 days beginning with the date on which the notice of appeal was sent to it, send a written request to the parties to make in writing, within a specified period, any representations which they may wish to make about the matter.
(5) The Assembly shall give, with the notice given under paragraph (4), to the Local Health Board which is a party to the appeal, a copy of the notice of appeal.
(6) The Assembly shall give a copy of any representations received from a party to the other party and shall in each case request (in writing) a party to whom a copy of the representations is given to make within a specified period any written observations which it wishes to make on those representations.
(7) Following receipt of any representations from the parties or, if earlier, at the end of the period for making such representations specified in the request sent under paragraph (4) or (6), the Assembly shall, if it decides to appoint a person or persons to consider and determine the dispute -
(8) For the purpose of assisting it in its consideration of the matter, the adjudicator may -
(9) Where the adjudicator consults another person under paragraph (8)(b), he or she shall notify the parties accordingly in writing and, where the adjudicator considers that the interests of any party might be substantially affected by the result of the consultation, he or she shall give to the parties such opportunity as he or she considers reasonable in the circumstances to make observations on those results.
(10) In considering the matter, the adjudicator shall consider -
(11) In this article, "specified period" means such period as the Assembly shall specify in the request, being not less than 2, nor more than 4, weeks beginning with the date on which the notice referred to is given, but the Assembly may, if it considers that there is good reason for doing so, extend any such period (even after it has expired) and, where it does so, a reference in this article to the specified period is to the period as so extended.
(12) The adjudicator may, when determining the appeal require the Local Health Board to enter into a general medical services contract with the prospective contractor on terms to be agreed between the parties or, where necessary, determined under the pre-contract dispute resolution procedure in section 4(4) of the 1990 Act (NHS contracts) or under regulation 9 of the 2004 Regulations (whichever is applicable) but may not require the prospective contractor to proceed with the contract.
(13) The adjudicator shall record its determination in writing and shall give notice of the determination (including the record of the reasons) to the parties.
(14) The determination of the adjudicator shall be binding upon the parties.
(15) Subject to the other provisions of this article, the adjudicator shall have wide discretion in determining the procedure of the appeal to ensure the just, expeditious, economical and final determination of the dispute.
(16) In this article, "adjudicator" means the Assembly or a person or persons appointed by it under this article or under paragraph 99(5) of Schedule 6 to the 2004 Regulations.
Entitlement to a contract as one of two or more individuals practising in partnership
5.
Subject to article 6, a Local Health Board must, if a person so wishes, enter into a general medical services contract with that person as one of two or more individuals practising in partnership if -
(b) except in the case of a person who falls within paragraph (a)(ii), he or she is, on the date on which the contract is to be signed, providing general medical services under section 29 of the 1977 Act or services under a default contract -
(c) he or she wishes to enter into a contract as an individual practising in partnership with one or more medical practitioners who meet the requirements in paragraph (a)(i) and with whom on 31st March 2004, is on the date on which the contract is to be signed, if earlier, he or she was practising in partnership or whose nomination, in relation to the partnership, has been approved by the Local Health Board under regulations 18A or 18B of the 1992 Regulations.
Duration of entitlement to a general medical services contract
6.
- (1) Subject to paragraphs (2) to (5), a person who is entitled to enter into a general medical services contract under articles 3 or 5 and who has not entered into such a contract on or before 31st March 2004, shall only continue to be so entitled if -
unless article 11 applies.
(2) Where a person has been refused a general medical services contract because the Local Health Board is not satisfied as to the matters specified in article 3(3), that person shall, subject to articles 7 and 12, only continue to be entitled to enter into such a contract (whether following a default contract or not) until -
unless article 11 applies.
(3) Where a person has been refused a general medical services contract because the Local Health Board is not satisfied as to the matter specified in article 3(6), and, before 31st March 2005, the Local Health Board is satisfied, after consultation with the Local Medical Committee, that he is able to provide services under a general medical services contract, that person shall, subject to articles 7 and 12, only continue to be entitled to enter into such a contract (whether following a default contract or not) until -
unless article 11 applies.
(4) Where a person has been refused a general medical services contract because the Local Health Board is not satisfied as to the matter specified in article 3(6), and paragraph (3) does not apply, that person shall, subject to article 12, only continue to be entitled to enter into such a contract until 31st March 2005, unless article 11 applies.
(5) Where a person who is entitled to enter into a general medical services contract under article 3(1) has been unable to do so before 30th September 2004 (whether following a default contract or not) because he or she is performing relevant service, his or her entitlement shall, subject to articles 7 and 14, continue until -
unless article 11 applies.
(6) Nothing in articles 3 and 5 or this article shall require a Local Health Board to enter into a general medical services contract with any person (whether as an individual or as a member of a partnership) on more than one occasion.
Effect of termination of a default contract on entitlement to enter into a general medical services contract under articles 3 or 5
7.
- (1) Any entitlement which a person may have under articles 3 or 5 to enter into a general medical services contract with a Local Health Board after 31st March 2004 shall be extinguished if any default contract with that Local Health Board to which he or she was a party (whether as an individual medical practitioner or as one of two or more individuals practising in partnership) has been terminated other than in the circumstances specified in paragraph (2).
(2) The circumstances referred to in paragraph (1) are that the default contract has been terminated by agreement between the parties in order to enable those parties to enter into a general medical services contract.
(3) Where -
that person's entitlement to enter into a general medical services contract shall be restored as if the default contract had not been terminated.
(4) A person to whom paragraph (3) applies shall be entitled to exercise his or her entitlement to enter into a general medical services contract until -
unless article 11 applies.
Entitlement to a general medical services contract of persons nominated under regulation 18C of the 1992 Regulations
8.
- (1) Where, on 31st March 2004, a Local Health Board has nominated a medical practitioner for a vacancy under regulation 18C of the 1992 Regulations but has not yet entered his or her name on its medical list in accordance with regulation 18F(1) of those Regulations, that person shall, unless a medical practitioner who was not nominated for that vacancy makes a successful appeal under article 9 -
whichever is the later.
(2) A person who is entitled to enter into a general medical services contract under paragraph (1) shall, subject to article 12, only continue to be so entitled -
unless article 11 applies.
Appeals under 18G and 18GG of the 1992 regulations
9.
- (1) Where, on 31st March 2004, a Local Health Board has decided not to nominate an applicant for a vacancy under regulation 18C of the 1992 Regulations but it has not notified the applicant in writing of its decision, in accordance with paragraph (6) of that regulation, it shall so notify the applicant within seven days of the date on which it made its decision and any right of appeal which the applicant would have had under regulation 18G or 18GG of the 1992 Regulations[26] shall continue as if those regulations had not been revoked.
(2) Where -
(b) the applicant has (or, under paragraph (1), is deemed to have) a right of appeal under regulations 18G or 18GG of the 1992 Regulations and the time for appealing has not yet expired,
the time for appealing shall continue as if those regulations had not been revoked.
(3) Where an unsuccessful applicant for a vacancy under regulation 18C of the 1992 Regulations -
that appeal shall continue to be dealt with as if regulation 18G or, as the case may be, 18GG of the 1992 Regulations had not been revoked.
Entitlement to a general medical services contract following appeal under article 9
10.
- (1) Where, following an appeal dealt with under article 9, the FHSAA determines that a medical practitioner who was the only applicant for a vacancy under regulation 18C of the 1992 Regulations should have been nominated for that vacancy by the Local Health Board, that medical practitioner shall -
(2) A person who is entitled to enter into a general medical services contract under paragraph (1) shall, subject to article 12, only continue to be so entitled until -
unless article 11 applies.
Appeal against failure of a Local Health Board to enter into a general medical services contract
11.
- (1) This article applies where a medical practitioner has -
(2) In a case to which this article applies, the prospective contractor must, if he or she wishes to enter into a general medical services contract, apply in writing to the Assembly within the period of 14 days of the expiry of his or her entitlement.
(3) An application under paragraph (2) shall specify -
(4) Paragraphs (3) to (16) of article 4 shall apply to an application made under paragraph (2), subject to the modification that the references in paragraphs (4) and (5) of that article to a notice of appeal shall be read as references to an application under paragraph (2) of this article.
Effect of events taking place after 31st March 2004 on entitlement to enter into a general medical services contract
12.
Where an individual medical practitioner who is entitled to enter into a general medical services contract after 31st March 2004 under article 3, 8 or 10 has not entered into a default contract with a Local Health Board, the medical practitioner's entitlement to enter into a general medical services contract with that Local Health Board shall be extinguished if, after 31st March 2004, he or she falls within paragraph 111(2) of Schedule 6 to the 2004 Regulations unless -
Entitlement to a contract under section 176(3) of the Act
13.
- (1) For the purposes of section 176(3) of the Act, the circumstances in which a Local Health Board must enter into a contract for the provision of medical services (in this Order referred to as a default contract) are those set out in this article.
(2) Subject to paragraphs (5) and (6), a Local Health Board must, if a person so wishes, enter into a default contract with that person as an individual medical practitioner if that person -
(3) A Local Health Board must, if a person so wishes, enter into a default contract with him or her as one of two or more individuals practising in partnership if that person -
(4) A contract entered into pursuant to paragraph (2) or (3) must -
(5) A Local Health Board shall only be required to enter into a default contract under paragraph (2) with a person for whom, on 31st March 2004 (or on the date on which the contract is to be signed if earlier) it has in place temporary arrangements under regulation 25(6) of the 1992 Regulations[28], if it is satisfied, on the date that the contract is to be signed, that he or she is able to provide (but not perform) services under the contract.
(6) A Local Health Board shall only be required to enter into a default contract under paragraph (2) with a person who is, on 31st March 2004 (or on the date on which the contract is to be signed if earlier) suspended from the Medical Register in the circumstances specified in article 3(4) or suspended from its medical list, if it is satisfied, on the date that the contract is to be signed, that -
(c) the practitioner has in place adequate arrangements for the provision of services under the contract during the period of his suspension.
(7) Whenever a Local Health Board is considering refusing to enter into a default contract under paragraph (5) or (6) it shall consult the Local Medical Committee (if any) for its area before making its decision.
(8) Where a Local Health Board is refusing to enter into a default contract pursuant to paragraph (5) or (6) it shall notify the prospective contractor in writing of its decision, its reasons for that decision and of the practitioner's right of appeal.
(9) Article 4 (appeal against refusal of a contract) shall apply to a refusal of a default contract by a Local Health Board under this article subject to the modifications that -
Duration of a default contract
14.
- (1) A default contract entered into pursuant to article 13 shall not subsist beyond 30th September 2004, except in the circumstances specified in paragraphs (2) to (5).
(2) Where, on 30th September 2004 -
the default contract shall, unless it is terminated before that date in accordance with the terms of the default contract, continue until whichever is the later of the dates specified in paragraph (3).
(3) The dates referred to in paragraph (2) are -
(4) Where the default contract is with an individual medical practitioner -
the default contract shall, unless it is terminated before that date in accordance with the terms of the contract, continue for as long as he remains entitled to enter into a general medical services contract under article 6.
(5) Where the default contract is with a medical practitioner who has made an application under article 11 (appeal against failure of a Local Health Board to enter into a general medical services contract), the default contract shall, unless it is terminated before that date in accordance with the terms of the contract, continue until -
(b) no notice of termination of those arrangements has been given under regulation 25(11)[30] which takes effect on 1st April 2004; and
(c) the Local Health Board has not entered into -
with the medical practitioner on whose behalf it is making those arrangements,
paragraph (2) shall apply.
(2) In the circumstances specified in paragraph (1), the Local Health Board shall, if the medical practitioner or medical practitioners with whom the temporary arrangements were made so wishes (or so wish), make contractual arrangements with him, her or them, with effect from 1st April 2004, for the provision of such primary medical services as he, she was or they were providing under those arrangements to the patients to whom he or she was or they were providing those services.
(3) A contract entered into by a Local Health Board pursuant to paragraph (2) shall be for such period as the Local Health Board may agree with the contractor but may not continue beyond the date on which the medical practitioner for whom the contractual arrangements are in place ceases to be entitled to enter into a general medical services contract with that Local Health Board.
(4) The contractor's list, or lists, of patients for the purpose of the contractual arrangements made pursuant to paragraph (2) shall, at the start of those arrangements, consist of the persons who, on 31st March 2004, were -
(5) Where the contractual arrangements are made with a person who has his, her or its own list of patients, the contractual arrangements shall require the lists to be kept separate.
(b) the default contractor does not wish to provide that service to its patients under a general medical services contract which it intends to enter into after 31st March 2004 pursuant to article 3 or 5.
Additional services in general medical services contracts under article 8 or 10
17.
- (1) A general medical services contract which is entered into with a person who is entitled to enter into such a contract under article 8 or 10 must, subject to any right to opt out of such services included in the contract pursuant to regulation 17 of the 2004 Regulations, provide for the contractor to provide in core hours to -
such of the additional services as are equivalent to the services specified in paragraph (2), unless, prior to the signing of the contract, the Local Health Board which is a prospective party to the contract has accepted in writing a written request from the contractor that the contract should not require it to provide all or any of those additional services.
(2) The services referred to in paragraph (1) are -
Additional services in general medical services contracts entered into following a default contract
18.
Where, after 31st March 2004, a Local Health Board enters into a general medical services contract pursuant to article 3 or 5 with a person or persons who, immediately before the coming into force of that general medical services contract, is or are a party to a default contract with that Local Health Board, that general medical services contract must require the contractor to provide in core hours to its registered patients and persons accepted by it as temporary residents such of the additional services as were required to be provided under the default contract, except to the extent that, prior to the signing of the general medical services contract, the Local Health Board which is a prospective party to that contract has accepted in writing a written request from the contractor that the general medical services contract should not require it to provide all or any of those additional services.
Out of hours services in default contracts
19.
- (1) A default contract must require the contractor to provide the services specified in paragraph (2) throughout the out of hours period unless the contract is, at the date on which it is signed, with -
(2) The services referred to in paragraph (1) are -
(3) Where a default contract is with -
that default contract must require the contractor to continue to provide such services to the patients of the exempt contractor for as long as the default contract subsists.
(4) The requirements referred to in paragraph (3)(a) are that -
(5) In this article "exempt contractor" means a contractor who is exempt from providing out of hours services pursuant to paragraph (1)(a) or (b) or regulation 30(1)(b) of the 2004 Regulations.
(6) Nothing in this article shall require a default contractor to provide out of hours services if, in the reasonable opinion of the contractor in the light of the patient's medical condition, it would be reasonable in all the circumstances for the patient to wait for the services required until the next time at which the patient could obtain such services during core hours.
Out of hours services in general medical services contracts to patients of exempt contractors who have entered into a default contract
20.
- (1) Where a general medical services contract is with -
the general medical services contract with that contractor must require it to continue to provide such services to the patients of the exempt contractor until the happening of one of the events in paragraph (3).
(2) The requirements referred to in paragraph (1)(a) are that -
(3) The events referred to in paragraph (1) are -
(4) In this article "exempt contractor" means a contractor who is exempt from providing out of hours services pursuant to article 18(1)(a) or (b).
Modification of certain out of hours provisions in the 2004 Regulations during the existence of default contracts
21.
For as long as default contracts exist -
Modification of certain out of hours provisions in the 2004 Regulations during the existence of contractual arrangements made under article 15
22.
For as long as contractual arrangements made under article 15 exist -
(b) Schedule 7 to those Regulations (out of hours services) shall be read as if -
Effect on a general medical services contract of approval of an out of hours arrangement made by a default contractor
23.
- (1) Where, under the terms of the default contract which are equivalent to Schedule 7 to the 2004 Regulations, a Local Health Board has approved an out of hours arrangement made by a default contractor with a person who holds a general medical services contract, the Local Health Board with whom that person holds his or her general medical services contract and that general medical services contractor shall be deemed to have agreed a variation of their contract which has the effect of including in it, from the date on which the out of hours arrangement commences, and for so long as that arrangement is not suspended or terminated, the services covered by that arrangement.
(2) The term of the general medical services contract which gives effect to paragraph 102(1) of Schedule 6 to the 2004 Regulations shall not apply to a variation made under paragraph (1).
(3) In this article, "out of hours arrangement" means an arrangement made under the term of the default contract which is equivalent to paragraph 1(2) of Schedule 7 to the 2004 Regulations.
Services to patients not registered with the contractor in default contracts and general medical services contracts entered into on or before 31st March 2004
24.
- (1) Where a medical practitioner who meets the requirements in paragraph (2) -
whether as an individual medical practitioner or as one of two or more individuals practising in partnership; or
(b) is a legal and beneficial shareholder in a company which enters into a general medical services contract on or before 31st March 2004,
that contract must require the contractor to provide such of the additional services as are equivalent to those of the services listed in paragraph (2)(a) to (c), to the patients to whom the medical practitioner was providing those services on the date on which the contract was signed, except, in the case of a general medical services contract, to the extent that the contractor is not required to provide the additional service concerned to its registered patients under regulation 29 of the 2004 Regulations.
(2) The requirements referred to in paragraph (1) are that, on 31st March 2004 (or on the date on which the contract is signed, if earlier) the medical practitioner is providing, as part of general medical services under section 29 of the 1977 Act[34], to a patient who is not recorded as being on the medical practitioner's list of patients -
(3) The services required to be provided under this article are in addition to any additional services which are required to be provided to the contractor's registered patients -
(4) Nothing in this article shall prevent a contractor from subsequently terminating its responsibility for a patient not registered with the contractor under the term of its contract which gives effect to paragraph 28 of Schedule 6 to the 2004 Regulations (or the equivalent term of a default contract).
(5) A requirement in a general medical services contract to provide any additional services under this paragraph to patients not registered with the contractor shall cease on the date on which any opt out of that additional service in respect of the contractor's own registered patients commences pursuant to the terms of the general medical services contract which give effect to Schedule 3 to the 2004 Regulations.
(6) Where paragraph (5) applies, the requirement to inform patients of opt outs in the term of the general medical services contract which gives effect to paragraph 6 of Schedule 3 to the 2004 Regulations shall apply to the patients to whom services are provided pursuant to this paragraph as it applies to the contractor's own registered patients.
Services to patients not registered with the contractor in general medical services contracts entered into following a default contract
25.
- (1) Where, after 31st March 2004, a Local Health Board enters into a general medical services contract pursuant to articles 3 or 5 with a person or persons who, immediately before the coming into force of that contract, is or are a party to a default contract, that general medical services contract shall require the contractor to provide to patients who are not included on the contractor's list of patients such of the additional services as were provided to those patients under that default contract, except to the extent that the contractor is not required to provide the additional service concerned to its registered patients under article 18.
(2) The services required to be provided under this article are in addition to any additional services which are required to be provided to the contractor's registered patients under article 18.
(3) Paragraphs (4) to (6) of article 24 shall apply to additional services included in a general medical services contract pursuant to this paragraph.
Premises for the purposes of default contracts and general medical services contracts entered into on or before 31st March 2004
26.
- (1) Where a medical practitioner who, on 31st March 2004, is providing general medical services under section 29 of the 1977 Act -
whether as an individual medical practitioner or as one of two or more individuals practising in partnership; or
(b) is a legal and beneficial shareholder in a company which enters into a general medical services contract on or before 31st March 2004,
the practice premises specified in that contract at its commencement must, unless the Local Health Board agrees otherwise in writing, be those specified in paragraph (2).
(2) The premises referred to in paragraph (1) are -
(3) The inclusion of any particular practice premises in a default or general medical services contract pursuant to paragraph (1) is without prejudice to the contract also including a plan in respect of those premises pursuant to regulation 18(3) of the 2004 Regulations.
Practice area for the purposes of default contracts
27.
The area specified at its commencement in a default contract as the area as respects which persons resident in it will, subject to any other terms of the contract relating to patient registration, be entitled to register with the contractor or seek acceptance by it as a temporary resident must be -
Lists of patients for default contracts and general medical services contracts entered into on or before 31st March 2004
28.
- (1) Subject to article 30(1), where a medical practitioner who, on 31st March 2004 is providing general medical services under section 29 of the 1977 Act -
whether as an individual medical practitioner or as one of two or more individuals practising in partnership; or
(b) is a legal and beneficial shareholder in a company which enters into a general medical services contract on or before 31st March 2004,
the Local Health Board must include on the contractor's list of patients for the purposes of that contract the persons specified in paragraph (2).
(2) The persons referred to in paragraph (1) are the patients who, on 31st March 2004 -
unless, in the case of a general medical services contract, they live outside the practice area as specified in that contract and were not included on the medical practitioner's list of patients by virtue of an assignment under regualtion 4 of the Choice Regulations[40], and
(b) had been assigned to the contractor or to any of the persons listed in paragraph (2)(a)(ii) or (iii) under regulation 4 of the Choice Regulations[41] but not yet included in the list referred to in sub-paragraph (a).
Lists of patients for general medical services contracts entered into following a default contract
29.
Where, after 31st March 2004, a Local Health Board enters into a general medical services contract pursuant to article 3 or 5 with a person or persons who, immediately before the coming into force of that general medical services contract, is or are a party to a default contract, it must include on the contractor's list of patients, for the purposes of that general medical services contract -
Lists of patients for default contracts and general medical services contracts entered into following arrangements under regulation 25 of the 1992 Regulations or article 11
30.
- (1) Where, on or before 31st March 2004, a Local Health Board enters into a default contract or a general medical services contract pursuant to article 3 with an individual medical practitioner for whom, immediately prior to the commencement of that contract, it had in place temporary arrangements under regulation 25(2) or (6) of the 1992 Regulations[42], it must include on the contractor's list of patients at the start of that default, or, as the case may be, general medical services contract, all of the patients who, on the date on which the temporary arrangements came to an end were -
apart from, in the case of a general medical services contract, any such patient who lives outside the practice area as specified in that contract and who became registered with either the medical practitioner for whom the temporary arrangements are in place, or the medical practitioner or practitioners providing the temporary arrangements otherwise than as the result of an assignment under regualtion 4 of the Choice Regulations.
(2) Where, after 31st March 2004, a Local Health Board enters into a general medical services contract pursuant to article 3 with an individual medical practitioner for whom, immediately prior to the commencement of that contract, it had in place contractual arrangements under article 15, it must include on the contractor's list of patients at the start of that general medical services contract all of the patients who were, on the date on which those contractual arrangements came to an end, on the list or lists of patients prepared and maintained by the Local Health Board for the purpose of those contractual arrangements, apart from any such patient who lives outside the practice area as specified in the general medical services contract and whose inclusion in the list of patients did not result from an assignment under regulation 4 of the Choice Regulations or under the contractual arrangements under article 15.
Status of contractor's list of patients for default contracts
31.
- (1) The contractor's list of patients for the purposes of a default contract shall, for as long as that contract subsists, be open to applications from patients in accordance with the terms of the default contract, except in the circumstances specified in paragraph (2).
(2) The circumstances referred to in paragraph (1) are that -
(b) the Local Health Board has determined, in the light of the circumstances in which it granted the exemption or exemptions referred to in paragraph (a), that the contractor's list of patients should, from the commencement of the default contract, be closed to applications for inclusion in the list other than from the immediate family members of registered patients.
(3) Where a contractor's list of patients is to be closed pursuant to paragraph (2), the default contract with that contractor shall contain terms which have the same effect as paragraphs (4) and (5).
(4) The contractor's list of patients shall remain closed for as long as the contract subsists unless the contractor notifies the Local Health Board in writing of its intention to re-open the list before the end of that period and of the date on which it will re-open.
(5) A contractor which has re-opened its list under paragraph (4) shall not be entitled to close it again during the subsistence of the default contract.
Status of contractor's list of patients for general medical services contracts
32.
- (1) Where a medical practitioner who, on 31st March 2004 is providing general medical services under section 29 of the 1977 Act -
the contractor's list of patients for the purposes of that contract shall, on the date on which the contract comes into force, be open to applications from patients in accordance with the term of the contract which gives effect to paragraph 15 of Schedule 6 to the 2004 Regulations except in the circumstances specified in paragraph (2).
(2) The circumstances referred to in paragraph (1) are that -
(b) the Local Health Board has determined, in the light of the circumstances in which it granted the exemption or exemptions referred to in paragraph (a), that the contractor's list of patients should, from the commencement of the contract, be closed to applications for inclusion in the list other than from the immediate family members of registered patients.
(3) Where a contractor's list of patients is to be closed pursuant to paragraph (2), the general medical services contract with that contractor shall contain terms which have the same effect as paragraphs (4) and (5).
(4) The contractor's list of patients shall remain closed for the period of 12 months from the date on which the contract comes into force unless the contractor notifies the Local Health Board in writing of its intention to re-open the list before the end of that period and of the date on which it will re-open.
(5) A contractor which has re-opened its list under paragraph (4) shall not be entitled to close it again during the period of 12 months referred to in paragraph (4) except under the term of its general medical services contract which gives effect to paragraph 29 of Schedule 6 to the 2004 Regulations.
Dispute resolution procedures for default contracts
33.
- (1) Any dispute arising out of or in connection with the default contract, except matters dealt with under the complaints procedure contained in that contract, may be referred for consideration and determination to the Assembly, if -
(2) In the case of a dispute referred to the Assembly under sub-paragraph (1), the procedure to be followed is that specified in paragraphs 99(3) to (14) and 100 of Schedule 6 to the 2004 Regulations, subject to the modification that the references in paragraph 100(2) and (3) to paragraph 98(1) shall be read as references to article 30(1) of this Order.
Additional ground for termination of a general medical services contract
34.
Where a Local Health Board has entered into a general medical services contract -
paragraph 111 of Schedule 6 to the 2004 Regulations shall apply to that contract as if it enabled the Local Health Board to serve notice of termination on the contractor on the grounds of a person falling within sub-paragraph (2)(d) at any time after 31st March 2004.
Payments under default contracts
36.
- (1) Subject to the following provisions of this Part, where a Local Health Board enters into a default contract, the only payments that are to be made by the Local Health Board to the contractor under that default contract are the payments mentioned in this article (although this is without prejudice to any powers that the Local Health Board has to make payments to the contractor under other arrangements).
(2) In respect of each complete month for which a default contract has effect, the Local Health Board must pay to a contractor under its default contract a reasonable approximation of one twelfth of what would have been the contractor's final global sum equivalent if -
minus, if appropriate, a monthly deduction in respect of superannuation.
(3) If, while it has a default contract -
the Local Health Board must pay to the contractor under its default contract a reasonable approximation of the amount that the Local Health Board would have been required to pay towards the cost of that locum by virtue of Part 4 of the Statement of Financial Entitlements.
(4) In respect of each complete quarter of the financial year for which a default contract has effect, the Local Health Board must pay to a contractor under its default contract a reasonable approximation of any quarterly seniority payment that would have been payable, at the end of that quarter, in respect of any GP provider who is a partner in the contractor if -
(5) If, in the period during which a default contract has effect, the contractor claims from a Local Health Board a payment in respect of -
to which the contractor would have been entitled under Part 4 of the Statement of Financial Entitlements (payments for specific purposes), had the contractor entered into a general medical services contract with the Local Health Board on or before 31st March 2004, and which would, in those circumstances, have fallen due by virtue of that Part, the Local Health Board must pay to the contractor under the default contract the amount that the Local Health Board would have been required to pay to it by virtue of Part 4 of the Statement of Financial Entitlements, had the contractor entered into a general medical services contract with the Local Health Board on or before 31st March 2004.
(6) If, in the period during which a default contract has effect, the contractor claims from a Local Health Board a payment -
to which the contractor would have been entitled under Part 5 of the Statement of Financial Entitlements (certain premises and I.T. costs), had the contractor entered into a general medical services contract with the Local Health Board on or before 31st March 2004, and which would, in those circumstances, have fallen due by virtue of that Part, the Local Health Board must pay to the contractor under the default contract the amount that the Local Health Board would have been required to pay to it by virtue of Part 5 of the Statement of Financial Entitlements, had the contractor entered into a general medical services contract with the Local Health Board on or before 31st March 2004.
(7) If, in the period during which a default contract has effect, the contractor claims from a Local Health Board, in respect of its recurring premises costs -
in circumstances where the Local Health Board must, by virtue of Part 6 of the Premises Costs Directions (supplementary provisions), continue to provide financial assistance to the contractor by way of meeting or contributing towards the recurring premises costs relating to which the claim for payment is made, the Local Health Board must pay to the contractor under its default contract any payment it is required to pay pursuant to the Premises Costs Directions, to meet or contribute towards those recurring premises costs.
(8) If, in the period during which a default contract has effect, the contractor claims from a Local Health Board a payment in respect of patients who are not registered patients but in relation to whom the contractor -
(b) was, (or a partner in the contractor was), on 31st March 2004, entitled to receive payments for providing those services from the Local Health Board under the Statement of Fees and Allowances; and
(c) is required, by virtue of this Order, to continue to provide those services under its default contract,
the Local Health Board must pay to the contractor under its default contract a reasonable amount in respect of those services.
Due dates for payments under a default contract
37.
Payments under -
whichever is the later;
(c) article 36(4) are to fall due on the last day of the quarter to which they relate;
(d) article 36(5) or (6) are to fall due on the date on which they would have fallen due by virtue of Part 4 of the Statement of Financial Entitlements (payments for specific purposes), had the contractor entered into a general medical services contract with the Local Health Board on or before 31st March 2004;
(e) article 36(7) are to fall due on the date on which they fall due under the arrangements made, pursuant to the Premises Costs Directions, to make the payments;
(f) article 36(8) are to fall due on the date that the Local Health Board sets (having regard to the frequency with which equivalent payments were made under the Statement of Fees and Allowances) for making the payments,
but the Local Health Board may make payments on account in respect of any of those payments before they fall due.
Part payment of periodic payments where a contractor does not enter into a general medical services contract
38.
If a contractor does not enter into a general medical services contract which takes effect immediately after its default contract ceases to have effect, and -
had the contract terminated on the last day of a month, and that proportion is to be calculated by multiplying that payment by the fraction produced by dividing the number of days in the month during which the contractor was providing services under the default contract by the total number of days in the month;
(b) its default contract terminates on any day other than the last day of a quarter of the financial year, the Local Health Board must pay to the contractor a proportion of any payment that would have been payable to the contractor under -
had the contract terminated on the last day of a quarter of the financial year, and that proportion is to be calculated by multiplying that payment by the fraction produced by dividing the number of days in the quarter during which the contractor was providing services under the default contract by the total number of days in the quarter.
Conditions, set offs etc. relating to payments under a default contract
39.
- (1) Payments are only payable under article 36 or 38 in circumstances where the contractor has made available to the Local Health Board any information which the Local Health Board does not have but needs, and which the contractor either has or could reasonably be expected to provide, in order for the Local Health Board to be able to calculate the payment.
(2) The obligations to make payments under article 36 and 38 are subject to any right that the Local Health Board may have to set off against any amount payable to the contractor under the default contract any amount -
(3) A Local Health Board may -
Effect of contractors entering into a general medical services contract
40.
If a contractor who has entered into a default contract thereafter enters into a general medical services contract which takes effect immediately after its default contract ceases to have effect, the Local Health Board that is a party to the general medical services contract must ensure that the general medical services contract -
and accordingly any condition that attaches, or is to be attached, to such a payment, when made under a general medical services contract, by virtue of the Statement of Financial Entitlements or the Premises Costs Directions, is attached to that payment; and
(d) where appropriate, contains a condition to the effect that any payment that has been made under the default contract pursuant to article 36(8) is set off, equitably, against any payment for equivalent services provided under the general medical services contract.
Persons not able to enter into a default contract
41.
- (1) Where a person to whom article 13(2) or (3) applies is unable to enter into a default contract because the Local Health Board with whom that person would have entered into a default contract is not satisfied of the matters specified in paragraphs (5) or (6) of that article or because he or she is performing relevant service, that Local Health Board may pay to that person any payment that he or she would have been entitled to receive under the default contract, had he or she been able to enter into a default contract, or may pay him or her a proportion thereof (having regard, amongst other matters, to the cost of any temporary arrangements made by the Local Health Board for the provision of primary medical services to his or her patients) for as long as he or she is not able to enter into -
but he or she remains entitled to enter into a general medical services contract.
(2) Where a person to whom payments have been made by a Local Health Board by virtue of paragraph (1) enters into a default contract or a general medical services contract, the Local Health Board that is a party to the contract must ensure that the contract -
and accordingly any condition that attaches, or is to be attached, to such a payment, when made under a general medical services contract, by virtue of the Statement of Financial Entitlements or the Premises Costs Directions, is attached to that payment; and
(d) in the case of a default contract, contains a condition to the effect that any payment that has been made under paragraph (1) that could have been made as a payment under the default contract, had the contractor entered into the default contract on or before 31st March 2004, shall be treated as a payment under the default contract, and accordingly any condition attached to such a payment by virtue of this Order is attached to that payment.
Claims under the Statement of Fees and Allowances
42.
- (1) Notwithstanding the repeal of the 1992 Regulations, claims may still be made for payments under the Statement of Fees and Allowances by any person who may be entitled to such a payment, provided that the claim is made within any period stipulated in the Statement of Fees and Allowances as being the period during which a claim for the payment is to be made.
(2) If a claim is made outside that stipulated period, the Local Health Board may extend that period for up to six years from the date on which the circumstances which gave rise to the claim first arose.
(3) If the Local Health Board refuses the claim, or considers that the amount to be paid out in respect of the claim is significantly lower than the amount claimed, the arrangements for appeals set out in paragraph 80 of the Statement of Fees and Allowances are to apply.
which are referred to the Assembly[48] under section 4(3) or (4) of the 1990 Act (NHS contracts), section 4(5) of that Act shall be read as if after "appoint a person" there were included "or persons".
Signed on behalf of the National Assembly for Wales under section 66(1) of the Government of Wales Act 1998[49]
D.Elis-Thomas
The Presiding Officer of the National Assembly
26th February 2004
[7] S.I. 1998/668 as amended by S.I. 1999/3179 and S.I. 2000/1708 (W.115).back
[8] Section 495 was inserted into the 1977 Act by section 27(1) of the Health and Social Care Act 2001 (c.15) ("the 2001 Act") and amended by the National Health Service Reform and Health Care Professions Act 2002 (c.17) ("the 2002 Act"), Schedule 1, paragraph 18.back
[9] Section 44 was amended by the Health and Social Security Act 1984 (c.48). Section 24 and Schedule 8, the 1990 Act, section 12(4), the Health Authorities Act 1995 (c.17), Schedule 1, paragraph 32(a), the Health Act 1999 (c.8), section 11, the 2001 Act, section 43(6) and Schedule 5, paragraph 5(7), the 2002 Act, section 5 and was repealed in relation to Local Medical Committees by the 2003 Act, Schedule 11, paragraph 21.back
[10] Section 45A was inserted into the 1977 Act by paragraph 23 of Schedule 1 to the 2003 Act.back
[11] Section 29(2)(a) was inserted into the 1977 Act by paragraph 23 of Schedule 1 to the 2003 Act.back
[12] Section 28X was inserted into the 1977 Act by section 179(1) of the 2003 Act.back
[14] Regulation 13 was substituted by S.I. 1998/2838 and amended by S.I. 2002/916 (W.104)back
[15] Section 29 was amended by the Health Services Act 1980 (c.53), section 7, the Health and Social Services and Social Security Adjudications Act 1983 (c.41), Schedule 6, paragraph 2, the Medical Act 1983 (c.54), Schedule 5, paragraph 16(a), the Health Authorities Act 1995 (c.17), Schedule 1, paragraph 18, the Medical (Professional Performance) Act 1995 (c.51), Schedule,paragraph 28(b), the National Health Service (Primary Care) Act 1997 (c.46), Schedule 2, paragraph 8, the 2001 Act, sections 17 and 23, the 2002 Act Schedule 2, paragraph 3 and Schedule 8, paragraph 2 and S.I.s 1985/39 and 2002/3135. It is to be repealed from 1st April by section 175(2) of the 2003 Act.back
[16] Regulation 4(1)(a) was amended by S.I. 1998/682 and 2838 and 2002/2469.back
[17] Regulation 19 was amended by S.I. 1994/633, 1998/682 and 2002/2469.back
[18] Regulations 18A and 18B were substituted by S.I. 1998/2838 and amended by S.I. 2002/554 and 2469.back
[19] Regulation 25(6) was amended by S.I. 2002/2469.back
[20] Section 36A was inserted by the Medical (Professional Performance) Act 1995 (c.51), section 1 and amended by S.I. 2000/1803; section 38(1) was amended by paragraph 7 of the Schedule to that Act; paragraph 5A was inserted by paragraph 20 of the Schedule to that Act. All three provisions are prospectively substituted by S.I. 2002/3135.back
[21] Section 37 was amended by the Medical (Professional Performance) Act 1995 (c.51), Schedule, paragraph 6(2) to (4). It is prospectively substituted by S.I. 2002/3135.back
[22] Section 41A was inserted by S.I. 2000/1803. It is prospectively substituted by S.I. 2002/3135back
[23] S.I. 2002/3135. This Order substitutes the sections referred to in article 3(5).back
[24] Regulation 25(9) was amended by S.I. 2002/2469.back
[25] Regulation 18F(1) was substituted by S.I. 1998/2838 and amended by S.I. 2001/3742 and 2002/554 and 2469.back
[26] Regulation 18G was substituted by S.I. 1998/2838 and amended by S.I. 2001/3742 and 2002/554 and 2469; regulation 18GG was inserted by S.I. 2001/3742 and amended by S.I. 2002/2469.back
[27] The Default Contract 2004 is published by the Department of Health. It is available on their web site at www.dh.gov.uk or a copy can be obtained by writing to the Department of Health, P.O. Box 777, London SE1 6XH.back
[28] Regulation 25(6) was amended by S.I. 2002/2469.back
[29] Regulation 25(2) was amended by S.I. 1995/3093, 1998/682, 2001/3742 and 2002/2469.back
[30] Regulation 25(11) was amended by S.I. 2002/2469.back
[31] Paragraph 14A was inserted by S.I. 1995/3093 and amended by S.I. 2001/3742 and 2002/2469.back
[32] Regulation 18D was substituted by S.I. 1998/2838 and amended by S.I. 2002/554 and 2469.back
[33] Paragraph 18(2) was amended by S.I. 2002/2469.back
[34] Section 29 was amended by the Health Services Act 1980 (c.53), section 7, the Health and Social Services and Social Security Adjudications Act 1983 (c.41), Schedule 6, paragraph 2, the Medical Act 1983 (c.54), Schedule 5, paragraph 16(a), the Health Authorities Act 1995 (c.17), Schedule 1, paragraph 18, the Medical (Professional Performance) Act 1995 (c.51), Schedule,paragraph 28(b), the National Health Service (Primary Care) Act 1997 (c.46), Schedule 2, paragraph 8, the 2001 Act, sections 17 and 23, the 2002 Act Schedule 2, paragraph 3 and Schedule 8, paragraph 2 and S.I.s 1985/39 and 2002/3135. It is to be repealed from 1st April 2004 by section 175(2) of the 2003 Act.back
[35] Regulation 28 was amended by S.I. 2002/2469.back
[36] Regulation 29 was amended by S.I. 1998/682.back
[37] Regulation 31 was amended by S.I. 1998/682 and 2002/2469.back
[38] Regulation 29 was amended by S.I. 2002/554 and 2469; regulation 29A was inserted by S.I. 1995/80 and amended by S.I. 2002/554 and 2469back
[39] Regulation 19 was amended by S.I. 1994/633, 1998/682 and 2002/2469.back
[40] Regulation 4 was amended by S.I. 1999/3179 and 2000/1708 (W.115).back
[41] Regulation 4 was amended by S.I. 1999/3179 and 2002/2469.back
[42] Regulation 25(2) was amended by S.I. 1995/3093, 1998/682, 2001/3742 and 2002/2469; regulation 25(6) was amended by S.I. 2002/2469.back
[43] Regulation 4(8) was amended by S.I. 2002/2469.back
[44] Section 16BB(4) was inserted into the Act by section 6 of the National Health Service Reform and Health Care Professions Act 2003 (c.17).back
[46] Regulation 34 was amended by S.I. 1993/540, 1997/2468, 2000/601 and 2002/2469.back
[47] Section 28T was inserted into the Act by section 175 of the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003.back
[48] Functions of the Secretary of State, so far as exercisable in relation to Wales, were transferred to the National Assembly for Wales by the National Assembly for Wales (Transfer of Functions) Order S.I. 1999/672, article 2, Schedule 1.back