Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations.)

These Regulations make provision as to payments of financial assistance to persons wishing to participate in a pilot scheme for the provision of personal medical services or personal dental services under the Health Services (Primary Care) (Northern Ireland) Order 1997.

The Regulations provide that a Health and Social Services Board (“a board”) may make payments of financial assistance in respect of work reasonably undertaken in connection with the preparation of proposals for a pilot scheme (i.e. work undertaken before approval of the proposals) and prescribe requirements which an applicant must satisfy in relation to any payment (regulation 2). The Regulations also provide that a board may impose conditions with which an applicant must comply in connection with the requirements prescribed in regulation 2, and for repayment where those conditions are not met (regulation 3).

The Directions to boards concerning the preparation of proposals for pilot schemes, which are referred to in these Regulations, can be obtained from—

Primary Care and Purchasing Development Directorate

Health and Social Services Executive

Room 436, Dundonald House

Upper Newtownards Road

Belfast BT4 3SF.