8. In the General Ophthalmic Services Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1986(1), in paragraph 8C of Schedule 1 (complaints against ophthalmic medical practitioners)(2), after sub-paragraph (1) insert—
“(2) Where a contractor, being an ophthalmic medical practitioner, also performs personal medical services in connection with a pilot scheme under the Health Services (Primary Care) (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 (“the 1997 Order”) for any person to whom he provides general ophthalmic services, the complaints procedure established and operated in accordance with directions given under Article 8(1) of the 1997 Order as to complaints procedures for pilot schemes(3) shall apply in relation to any matter reasonably connected with his provision of general ophthalmic services to that person, as it applies as respects his performance of personal medical services under the pilot scheme.
(3) Accordingly, any requirement imposed by virtue of such directions on a person providing personal medical services under such a pilot scheme as to co-operation with any investigation of a complaint by the Board also applies in relation to complaints about such matters.”.
S.R. 1986 No. 163; as amended by S.R. 1988 No.110, S.R's. 1989 Nos.113 and 269, S.R. 1990 No. 191, S.R. 1995 No. 115, S.Rs. 1996 Nos. 135 and 416
Paragraph 8C was inserted by S.R. 1996 No. 135, regulation 8(6)
See the directions to Health and Social Services Boards concerning the handling of complaints about the provision of family health services and personal medical services, given by the Department of Health and Social Services on 21st December 1998