(This note is not part of the Regulations.)
These Regulations prescribe requirements relating to requests under Article 6(2) of the Health Services (Primary Care) (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 for the preparation by Health and Social Services Boards (“boards”) of proposals for pilot schemes under which personal medical services or personal dental services are to be provided. They make provision as to the matters to be dealt with in requests for the preparation of proposals, and the date by which requests must be made to boards.
The Regulations also provide that if a Health and Social Services Council is consulted by a board about proposals for a pilot scheme, that Council shall consider the effect of the proposals on the operation of the health services in its area and provide advice to the board. The Regulations also provide that if a Local Medical Committee or Local Dental Committee is consulted by a board about proposals for a pilot scheme, the Committee shall consider the effect of the proposals on the provision of general medical services or general dental services or any equivalent dental services, as appropriate, in its area and provide advice to the board.
The Regulations also make a consequential amendment to the Health and Social Services Councils Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1991.