Preliminary proceedings in health cases
3(1)Rules under paragraph 2(1)(b) above shall make provision for requiring that before any case is considered by the Health Committee (otherwise than under the following provisions of this paragraph) it shall have been considered by a member of the Council appointed for the purpose by the Council and have been referred by that person to the Committee.
(2)Where in the course of any proceedings under section 27 of this Act it appears to the Preliminary Proceedings Committee or to the Professional Conduct Committee that the fitness of a registered dentist to practise may be seriously impaired by reason of his physical or mental condition, that Committee may (notwithstanding anything in section 27) refer the question whether it is so impaired to the Health Committee for that question to be determined by them.
(3)If on a reference under sub-paragraph (2) above the Health Committee determine that the fitness of the dentist to practise is not seriously impaired by reason of his physical or mental condition, the Health Committee shall certify their opinion to the Committee that made the reference.
(4)If on a reference under sub-paragraph (2) above the Health Committee determine that the fitness of the dentist to practise is seriously impaired by reason of his physical or mental condition the Health Committee shall—
(a)certify their opinion' to the Committee that made the reference, and
(b)proceed to dispose of the case under section; 28 of this Act,
and on the Health Committee so certifying, any functions which would otherwise be exercisable by any committee in relation to that person under section 27 of this Act shall cease to be so exercisable.