(1)Except as provided in [F1subsection (2A)] below, no person shall be entitled to recover any charge in any court of law for any medical advice or attendance, or for the performance of any operation, F2... unless he proves that he is fully registered [F3and holds a licence to practise].
F4(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[F5(2A)Subsection (1) above shall not apply to fees in respect of medical services lawfully provided—
(a)under arrangements to provide services as part of F6... [F6any of the UK health services];
(b)by any person who is not a medical practitioner but who is entitled to provide those medical services by virtue of an enforceable [F7EU] right;
(c)by a person who is a member of a profession regulated by a body, apart from the General Council, mentioned in section 25(3) of the National Health Service Reform and Health Care Professions Act 2002.]
(3)Where a practitioner is a fellow of a college of physicians, fellows of which are prohibited by byelaw from recovering by law their expenses, charges or fees, then, notwithstanding that he is fully registered [F8and holds a licence to practise], the prohibitory byelaw, so long as it is in force, may be pleaded in bar of any legal proceedings instituted by him for the recovery of expenses, charges or fees.
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 46(1) substituted (3.12.2007) by The European Qualifications (Health and Social Care Professions) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/3101), regs. 1(2), 26(a)
F2Words in s. 46(1) omitted (19.7.2006 for specified purposes, 13.6.2007 in so far as not already in force as notified in the London Gazette dated 18.5.2007) by virtue of The Medical Act 1983 (Amendment) and Miscellaneous Amendments Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1914), arts. 1(2)(b)(c)(3), 73(a)(ii)
F3Words in s. 46(1) inserted (16.11.2009 as notified in the London Gazette dated 21.8.2009) by The Medical Act 1983 (Amendment) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/3135), arts. 1(2)(3), 12(4) (with Sch. 2)
F4S. 46(2) omitted (3.12.2007) by virtue of The European Qualifications (Health and Social Care Professions) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/3101), regs. 1(2), 26(b)
F5S. 46(2A) inserted (19.7.2006 for specified purposes, 13.6.2007 in so far as not already in force as notified in the London Gazette dated 18.5.2007) by The Medical Act 1983 (Amendment) and Miscellaneous Amendments Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1914), arts. 1(2)(b)(c)(3), 73(b)
F6Words in s. 46(2A)(a) substituted (11.2.2010 for specified purposes, 1.4.2010 in so far as not already in force) by The General and Specialist Medical Practice (Education, Training and Qualifications) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/234), art. 1(3)(4), Sch. 1 para. 14; S.I. 2010/478, art. 2(b)
F7Words in Act substituted (22.4.2011) by The Treaty of Lisbon (Changes in Terminology) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/1043), arts. 2, 3, 6 (with arts. 3(2)(3), 4(2), 6(4)(5))
F8Words in s. 46(3) inserted (16.11.2009 as notified in the London Gazette dated 21.8.2009) by The Medical Act 1983 (Amendment) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/3135), arts. 1(2)(3), 12(4) (with Sch. 2)
(1)[F10Subject to subsection (2) below, only a person who is fully registered and who holds a licence to practise may hold an appointment as physician, surgeon or other medical officer]—
(a)in the naval, military or air service,
(b)in any hospital or other place for the reception of persons suffering from mental disorder, or in any other hospital, infirmary or dispensary not supported wholly by voluntary contributions,
(c)in any prison, or
(d)in any other public establishment, body or institution,
or to any friendly or other society for providing mutual relief in sickness, infirmity or old age.
(2)Nothing in this section shall prevent any person who is not a Commonwealth citizen from being and acting as the resident physician or medical officer of any hospital established exclusively for the relief of foreigners in sickness, so long as he—
(a)has obtained from a foreign university a degree or diploma of doctor in medicine and has passed the regular examinations entitling him to practise medicine in his own country, and
(b)is engaged in no medical practice except as such a resident physician or medical officer.
[F11(3)None of the suspension events mentioned in subsection (4) below shall terminate any appointment such as is mentioned in subsection (1) above, but the person suspended shall not perform the duties of such an appointment during the suspension.
(4)The suspension events are—
(a)the suspension of registration of a person by a Fitness to Practise Panel—
(i)following a finding of impairment of fitness to practise by reason of deficient professional performance or adverse physical or mental health under section 35D above, or
(ii)under rules made by virtue of paragraph 5A(3) of Schedule 4 to this Act;
(b)an order for immediate suspension by a Fitness to Practise Panel under section 38(1) above; or
(c)an interim suspension order by an Interim Orders Panel or a Fitness to Practise Panel under section 41A above (or such an order as extended under that section).]
Textual Amendments
F9S. 47 sidenote substituted (16.11.2009 as notified in the London Gazette dated 21.8.2009) by The Medical Act 1983 (Amendment) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/3135), arts. 1(2)(3), 12(5)(b) (with Sch. 2)
F10Words in s. 47(1) substituted (16.11.2009 as notified in the London Gazette dated 21.8.2009) by The Medical Act 1983 (Amendment) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/3135), arts. 1(2)(3), 12(5)(a) (with Sch. 2)
F11S. 47(3)(4) substituted for s. 47(3) (1.11.2004 as notified in the London Gazette dated 8.10.2004) by The Medical Act 1983 (Amendment) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/3135), arts. 1(2)(3), 15(2) (with Sch. 2)
A certificate required by any enactment, whether passed before or after the commencement of this Act, from any physician, surgeon, licentiate in medicine and surgery or other medical practitioner shall not be valid unless the person signing it is fully registered [F13and holds a licence to practise].
Textual Amendments
F12S. 48 sidenote substituted (16.11.2009 as notified in the London Gazette dated 21.8.2009) by The Medical Act 1983 (Amendment) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/3135), arts. 1(2)(3), 12(6)(b) (with Sch. 2)
F13Words in s. 48 added (16.11.2009 as notified in the London Gazette dated 21.8.2009) by The Medical Act 1983 (Amendment) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/3135), arts. 1(2)(3), 12(6)(a) (with Sch. 2)
(1)F14... any person who wilfully and falsely pretends to be or takes or uses the name or title of physician, doctor of medicine, licentiate in medicine and surgery, bachelor of medicine, surgeon, general practitioner or apothecary, or any name, title, addition or description implying that he is registered under any provision of this Act, or that he is recognised by law as a physician or surgeon or licentiate in medicine and surgery or a practitioner in medicine or an apothecary, shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale F15. . .
F16(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(3)Any penalty to which a person is liable on summary conviction under subsection (1) above may be recovered in Scotland by any person before the sheriff or the district court who may, on the appearance or the default to appear of the accused, proceed to hear the complaint, and where the offence is proved or admitted the sheriff or court shall order the accused to pay the penalty as well as such expenses as the sheriff or court shall think fit.
(4)Any sum of money arising from conviction and recovery of penalties as mentioned in subsection (3) above shall be paid to the treasurer of the General Council.
Textual Amendments
F14Words in s. 49(1) omitted (3.12.2007) by virtue of The European Qualifications (Health and Social Care Professions) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/3101), regs. 1(2), 27(a)
F15Words in s. 49(1) repealed (5.11.1993) by 1993 c. 50, s. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. XIV.
F16S. 49(2) omitted (3.12.2007) by virtue of The European Qualifications (Health and Social Care Professions) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/3101), regs. 1(2), 27(b)
(1)If a person who does not hold a licence to practise—
(a)holds himself out as having such a licence; or
(b)engages in conduct calculated to suggest that he has such a licence,
he shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.
(2)Any penalty to which a person is liable on summary conviction under subsection (1) above may be recovered in Scotland by any person before the sheriff or the district court who may, on the appearance or the default to appear of the accused, proceed to hear the complaint, and where the offence is proved or admitted the sheriff or court shall order the accused to pay the penalty as well as such expenses as the sheriff or court shall think fit.
(3)Any sum of money arising from conviction and recovery of penalties as mentioned in subsection (2) above shall be paid to the Treasurer of the General Council.]