The National Health Service (Dietitian Supplementary Prescribers and Therapeutic Radiographer Independent Prescribers) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Scotland) Regulations 2016

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations amend the National Health Service (General Medical Services Contracts) (Scotland) Regulations 2004 (“the GMS Regulations”), the National Health Service (Primary Medical Services Section 17C Agreements) (Scotland) Regulations 2004 (“the Section 17C Regulations”) and the National Health Service (Pharmaceutical Services) (Scotland) Regulations 2009 (“the 2009 Regulations”), by extending the definition of prescriber through the insertion of a new category of independent prescriber, namely therapeutic radiographer independent prescriber, and by extending the definition of supplementary prescriber to include registered dietitians.

The GMS Regulations and the Section 17C Regulations contain rules about the supply of drugs, medicines or appliances by GPs, with specific provision in relation to drugs, medicines or appliances prescribed by supplementary prescribers or certain independent prescribers. Regulations 4(a) and 7(b)(ii) amend those provisions so that they also apply in the case of a therapeutic radiographer independent prescriber. Registered dietitians are added to these rules by virtue of the amended definition of supplementary prescriber.

Regulation 4(b)(ii) adds therapeutic radiographer independent prescribers into paragraph 58 of schedule 5 of the GMS Regulations and regulation 7(c)(ii) makes an equivalent amendment to paragraph 28 of schedule 1 of the Section 17C Regulations. These provisions require contractors and providers, in the GMS Regulations and Section 17C Regulations respectively, to notify the Health Board when an independent or supplementary prescriber starts or ceases to operate within the practice.

Registered dietitians are added to these rules by virtue of the amended definition of supplementary prescriber.

Regulation 7(a) and (b)(i) and regulation 9(a), (b) and (c)(i) correct drafting errors in the Section 17C Regulations and the 2009 Regulations respectively.