16.—(1) This section applies where a listed authority is a general health care provider.
(2) The Ombudsman may investigate—
(a)alleged maladministration through action taken in the exercise of administrative functions by the general health care provider in connection with general health care services,
(b)the merits of a decision of that body to the extent that it was taken in consequence of the exercise of professional judgement in connection with general health care services.
(3) In this Act, a general health care provider is—
(a)an individual undertaking to provide primary medical services or general dental services under Part 6 of the Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1972,
(b)a person undertaking to provide general ophthalmic services or pharmaceutical services under Part 6 of that Order, or
(c)an individual performing primary medical services or personal dental services in accordance with arrangements made under Article 15B of that Order (except as employees of, or otherwise on behalf of, a health and social care body or an independent provider).
(4) In this Act, general health care services are the services mentioned in subsection (3).