The Health and Personal Social Services (Fund-holding Practices) Amendment Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996

Payment for management expenses

9.  After regulation 19 (payments to staff), insert the following regulation—

“Payment for management expenses

19A.— (1) Where the allotted sum is determined wholly or partly by reference to the management expenses of the members of the fund-holding practice, the amount so determined (in this regulation referred to as the “management allowance”) may be applied in accordance with this regulation.

(2) The amount applied out of the allotted sum for the purposes of management expenses shall not exceed the management allowance.

(3) Where the members of the practice propose to spend any part of the management allowance in accordance with sub-paragraph (7)(d) for the purpose of buying computers, or sub-paragraph (7)(i), they shall first obtain the written consent of the Health and Social Services Board.

(4) The Health and Social Services Board shall consent to the fund-holding practice’s proposals to buy computers provided it is satisfied that the equipment proposed is suitable for the needs of the fund-holding practice and represents value for money.

(5) The Health and Social Services Board shall consent to the fund-holding practice’s proposals to spend its management allowance on rent provided it is satisfied that existing premises are being properly used, the proposed office accommodation is suitable and that the proposed rent represents value for money.

(6) Where the cost of a computer is less than that agreed with the Health and Social Services Board, any savings shall be spent only in accordance with regulation 21.

(7) For the purposes of this regulation, “management expenses” are—

(a) the cost of employing staff in connection with the management of the allotted sum;

(b) the cost of training members of the practice or their staff in connection with the management of the allotted sum;

(c) the cost, not exceeding such sum as the Department, in its determination of the allotted sum payable to the members of the fund-holding practice under Article 18(1) of the Order, determined was expected to be required to meet the cost of either—

(i) employing or engaging (as an assistant or deputy) a registered medical practitioner to provide general medical services to the patients of a member of the practice who is engaged in the management of the allotted sum, or

(ii) paying a member of the practice for his time in connection with the management of the allotted sum;

(d) the cost of acquiring office equipment (including computers);

(e) the upkeep and running costs of office equipment required for the purposes of the management of the allotted sum, including computer hardware and software running costs;

(f) the cost of specialist advice required in connection with the management of the allotted sum;

(g) the cost of minor internal modifications to any premises from which the members of the practice carry on their practice which are required to provide office accommodation for staff employed in connection with the management of the allotted sum;

(h) office expenses, including postage, stationery and telephone charges, which are necessarily incurred in connection with the management of the allotted sum; and

(i) the rent payable on office accommodation used by staff employed in connection with the management of the allotted sum.”.