The Health Services (Primary Care) (1997 Order) (Commencement No. 1) Order (Northern Ireland) 1997

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order.)

This order brings into operation on 12th January 1998 those provisions of the Health Services (Primary Care) (Northern Ireland) Order 1997, specified in the Schedule, which are necessary for the preparation of proposals for pilot schemes and the funding of preparatory work for those schemes, and for the supply of certain optical or pharmaceutical services under HSS contracts.

The provisions which are brought into operation relate to—

(a) the preparation of proposals for pilot schemes;

(b) requirements for pilot schemes, and provision of personal medical and personal dental services under pilot schemes;

(c) the approval and making of pilot schemes;

(d) the relationship between provisions on pilot schemes in the Health Services (Primary Care) (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 and certain provisions of the Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1972;

(e) preferential treatment for practitioners who wish to be included in medical lists after ceasing to provide personal medical services under a pilot scheme;

(f) the funding of work in connection with the preparation of proposals and preparatory work prior to participation in a pilot scheme;

(g) the provision of certain services under HSS contracts; and

(h) the provision of additional pharmaceutical services and the authorised provision of pharmaceutical services by medical practitioners.