Representations against a requirement to assign: transitional agreements
56.—(1) A provider who has been required under article 55(1) to assign a person to a medical practitioner may, within the period of seven days beginning with the day on which that assignment is made, make representations in writing to the Health Board against the requirement to assign, but shall remain responsible for providing personal medical services for the person to whom the requirement relates, pending notification of the confirmation or revision of the assignment by the Health Board.
(2) Where representations are made to it against a requirement to assign, a Health Board shall, subject to paragraph (4), promptly review the decision to require assignment and shall either confirm or revise it, but no person who participated in making the decision to require assignment shall participate in a review of that decision.
(3) Where representations are made against a decision to require assignment, the Health Board shall, before confirming or revising that decision, give the provider the opportunity of an oral hearing in support of those representations.
(4) The Health Board shall, within the period of seven days beginning with the day on which it confirms or revises a decision under paragraph (3), notify the contractor accordingly and the provisions of this article and article 55 shall apply to any requirement to assign under a revised decision.