The National Health Service (Vocational Training for General Medical Practice) Regulations 1997

Approval of trainers

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

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

(b) he is for the time being approved by the Joint Committee for the purposes of that paragraph.

(2) An approval under paragraph (1) may be withdrawn by the Joint Committee at any time before it expires.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 a medical list may appeal to the Secretary of State against a decision of the Joint Committee to refuse 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 Secretary of State, 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 Secretary of State may allow, a notice of appeal containing a concise statement of the facts and contentions upon which the practitioner relies.

(6) The Secretary of State may allow a longer period only where he 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 Secretary of State shall consider the appeal and may confirm the decision of the Joint Committee, require the Joint Committee to re-consider the matter, or substitute his own decision for that of the Joint Committee.

(8) Where the Secretary of State has required the Joint Committee to re-consider 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.