33.—(1) A Local Health Board may not assign a new patient to a contractor which has closed its list of patients except in the circumstances specified in sub-paragraph (2).
(2) A Local Health Board may, subject to paragraph 34, assign a new patient to a contractor whose practice premises are within the Local Health Board’s area and which has closed its list of patients, if —
(a)most or all of the providers of essential services (or their equivalent) whose practice premises are within the Local Health Board’s area have closed their lists of patients;
(b)the assessment panel has determined under paragraph 35(7) that patients may be assigned to the contractor in question, and that determination has not been overturned either by a determination of the Assembly under paragraph 36(13) or (where applicable) by a court; and
(c)the Local Health Board has entered into discussions with the contractor in question regarding the assignment of a patient if such discussions are required under paragraph 37.