17.—(1) In the case of a pilot scheme entered into, or to be entered into, by a single individual or body corporate, that individual or body may make an application under this Article to become a health services body.
(2) In the case of any other pilot scheme, all of those providing, or proposing to provide, piloted services under the scheme may together make an application under this Article to become a single health services body.
(3) An application must—
(a)be made to the Department in accordance with such provisions as may be prescribed; and
(b)specify the pilot scheme in relation to which it is made.
(4) Except in such cases as may be prescribed, the Department may grant an application.
(5) If an application is granted, the Department must specify when it is to come into effect and, as from that time—
(a)in the case of an application under paragraph (1), the applicant is; and
(b)in the case of an application under paragraph (2), the applicants together are,
a health services body for the purposes of Article 8 of the 1991 Order (HSS contracts).
(6) That Article has effect in relation to such a health services body (“a pilot scheme health services body”) as if the functions referred to in paragraph (1) of that Article were the provision of piloted services.
(7) Except in such circumstances as may be prescribed, a pilot scheme health services body resulting from an application under paragraph (2) is to be treated, at any time, as consisting of those providing piloted services under the scheme.
(8) A direction as to payment made under Article 8(8) of the 1991 Order against, or in favour of, a pilot scheme health services body is enforceable in a county court (if the court so orders) as if it were a judgment or order of that court.
(9) Regulations may provide for a pilot scheme health services body to cease to be such a body in prescribed circumstances.
(10) The Department must—
(a)maintain and publish a list of pilot scheme health services bodies;
(b)publish a revised copy of the list as soon as is reasonably practicable after any change is made to it.
(11) The list is to be published in such manner as the Department considers appropriate.