57B.—(1) [F2The Department] may, subject to such conditions as may be prescribed, enter into a general medical services contract with—
(a)a medical practitioner;
(b)two or more individuals practising in partnership where the conditions in paragraph (2) are satisfied; or
(c)a company limited by shares where the conditions in paragraph (3) are satisfied.
(2) The conditions referred to in paragraph (1)(b) in relation to a partnership are that—
(a)at least one partner is a medical practitioner; and
(b)any partner who is not a medical practitioner is either—
(i)an [F3HSC employee];
(ii)an Article 15B employee, a section 28C employee or a section 17C employee;
(iii)a health care professional who is engaged in the provision of services under this Order; or
(iv)an individual falling within Article 15C(1)(b)(iii).
(3) The conditions referred to in paragraph (1)(c) in relation to a company are that—
(a)at least one share in the company is legally and beneficially owned by a medical practitioner; and
(b)any share which is not so owned is legally and beneficially owned by a person referred to in paragraph (2)(b)(i) to (iv).
(4) Regulations may make provision as to the effect, in relation to a general medical services contract entered into by individuals practising in partnership, of a change in the membership of the partnership.
(5) In this Article—
“health care professional” has the same meaning as in Article 15C;
“ [F3HSC employee]”, “Article 15B employee”, “section 28C employee” and “section 17C employee” have the same meaning as in Article 15C.]
F2Words in art. 57B(1) substituted (1.4.2022) by Health and Social Care Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 (c. 3), s. 8(1)(b), Sch. 1 para. 24; S.R. 2022/102, art. 2(b)
F3Words in Order substituted (1.4.2009) by Health and Social Care (Reform) Act (Northern Ireland) 2009 (c. 1), s. 34(3), Sch. 6 para. 1(1)(f); S.R. 2009/114, art. 2