Medical Practitioners (Vocational Training) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1998

Approval of trainers

7.—(1) A practitioner falls within this paragraph for the purposes of regulation 6(3) if—

(a) his name is included in the medical list;

(b) he is, for the time being, approved by the Joint Committee for the purposes of regulation 6(3).

(2) An approval under paragraph (1) may be withdrawn by the Joint Committee at any time before it expires.

(3) The Joint Committee must, before approving a practitioner under paragraph (1), be satisfied that the characteristics and qualities of the practitioner and his practice are such that he is suitable to provide the experience referred to in regulation 6(3).

(4) A practitioner whose name is included in the medical list may appeal to the Department against a refusal by the Joint Committee to approve him under this regulation, or to withdraw his approval, but that decision shall continue to have effect until the appeal has been determined.

(5) An appeal under paragraph (4) shall be made by sending to the Department, within the period of 28 days beginning with the day on which the decision of the Joint Committee is given to him, or (subject to paragraph (6)) such longer period as the Department may allow, a notice of appeal containing a concise statement of the facts and contentions upon which the practitioner relies.

(6) The Department may allow a longer period only when it is satisfied that there was reasonable cause for failing to send the notice of appeal within the period of 28 days referred to in paragraph (5).

(7) The Department shall consider the appeal and may confirm the decision of the Joint Committee, require the Joint Committee to reconsider the matter, or substitute its own decision for that of the Joint Committee.

(8) Where the Department has required the Joint Committee to reconsider a decision, paragraphs (4) to (7) shall apply in relation to a second or subsequent decision by the Joint Committee to refuse to approve a practitioner under paragraph (1) or, as the case may be, to withdraw his approval, as they apply in relation to the first such decision.