The Police Pensions Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015

Referral of medical questions for purpose of a review

115.—(1) This regulation applies in relation to the following reviews.

(2) Where the scheme manager is considering whether the medical unfitness of a person receiving payment of a lower tier ill-health pension but not an enhanced upper tier ill-health pension has ceased or significantly worsened, the scheme manager must refer the following questions to a selected medical practitioner for decision—

(a) whether the person continues to be medically unfit for performing the ordinary duties of a member of the police service; and

(b) if so, whether—

(i) the person is also medically unfit for engaging in any regular employment; and

(ii) that medical unfitness is likely to be permanent.

(3) Where the scheme manager is considering whether the medical unfitness of a person receiving payment of both a lower tier ill-health pension and an enhanced upper tier ill-health pension or full retirement pension has ceased or significantly improved, the scheme manager must refer the following questions to a selected medical practitioner for decision—

(a) whether the person continues to be medically unfit for engaging in any regular employment; and

(b) if not, whether the person continues to be medically unfit for the performance of the ordinary duties of a member of the police service.

(4) Where the scheme manager is considering whether the medical unfitness of a person receiving payment of a full retirement pension which came into payment early on grounds of permanent medical unfitness has ceased, the scheme manager must refer the question whether the person continues to be medically unfit for engaging in any regular employment to a selected medical practitioner for decision.

(5) If the selected medical practitioner decides that the question mentioned in paragraph (2)(a) or a question mentioned in paragraph (3) or (4) is answered in the affirmative, the selected medical practitioner does not need to consider the question as to the likelihood of that medical unfitness continuing permanently.

(6) The decision of a selected medical practitioner on a question referred under this regulation must take the form of a report and a certificate.

(7) A copy of the report and the certificate must be given to the scheme manager and to the member.

(8) That report is final, subject to—

(a) an appeal against the decision under Schedule 1; or

(b) the referral of the decision for reconsideration under Schedule 1.