56.—(1) [F3The Department] shall, to the extent that it considers necessary to meet all reasonable requirements, F4... provide primary medical services F5. . . , or secure their provision F5. . . .
(2) [F6The Department] may (in addition to any other power conferred on it)—
(a)provide primary medical services itself F7. . . ;
(b)make such arrangements for their provision F7. . . as it thinks fit, and may in particular make contractual arrangements with any person.
(3) [F8The Department] shall publish information about such matters as may be prescribed in relation to the primary medical services provided under this Part.
(4) A body on which functions are conferred under this Article shall co-operate with any other such body in the discharge of their respective functions relating to the provision of primary medical services under this Part.
(5) Regulations may provide that services of a prescribed description are, or are not, to be regarded as primary medical services for the purposes of this Part.
(6) Regulations under this Article may in particular describe services by reference to the manner or circumstances in which they are provided.]
F3Words in art. 56(1) substituted (1.4.2022) by Health and Social Care Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 (c. 3), s. 8(1)(b), Sch. 1 para. 22(2)(a); S.R. 2022/102, art. 2(b)
F4Words in art. 56(1) omitted (1.4.2022) by virtue of Health and Social Care Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 (c. 3), s. 8(1)(b), Sch. 1 para. 22(2)(b); S.R. 2022/102, art. 2(b)
F5Words in art. 56(1) repealed (1.4.2009) by Health and Social Care (Reform) Act (Northern Ireland) 2009 (c. 1), s. 34(3), Sch. 6 para. 3(30)(a), Sch. 7; S.R. 2009/114, art. 2
F6Words in art. 56(2) substituted (1.4.2022) by Health and Social Care Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 (c. 3), s. 8(1)(b), Sch. 1 para. 22(3); S.R. 2022/102, art. 2(b)
F7Words in art. 56(2) repealed (1.4.2009) by Health and Social Care (Reform) Act (Northern Ireland) 2009 (c. 1), s. 34(3), Sch. 6 para. 3(30)(b), Sch. 7; S.R. 2009/114, art. 2
F8Words in art. 56(3) substituted (1.4.2022) by Health and Social Care Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 (c. 3), s. 8(1)(b), Sch. 1 para. 22(4); S.R. 2022/102, art. 2(b)