If the Secretary of State is satisfied, after such inquiry as he may think fit, as respects [F1the area, or part of the area, of a [F2Primary Care Trust or] Health Authority] that the persons whose names are included in any list prepared under this Part of this Act—
(a)of medical practitioners undertaking to provide general medical services,
(b)of dental practitioners undertaking to provide general dental services,
(c)of persons undertaking to provide general ophthalmic services, or
(d)of persons undertaking to provide pharmaceutical services,
are not such as to secure the adequate provision of the services [F3in question in that area or part, or that for any other reason any considerable number of persons in any such area or part are not] receiving satisfactory services under the arrangements in force under this Part, then—
[F4(i)he may authorise [F5the [F6Primary Care Trust or] Health Authority] to make such other arrangements as he may approve, or may himself make such other arrangements, and]
(ii)he may dispense with any of the requirements of regulations made under this Part so far as appears to him necessary to meet exceptional circumstances and enable such arrangements to be made.
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 56 substituted (28.6.1995 for specified purposes and otherwise 1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 17, ss. 2(1)(3), 8(1), Sch. 1 Pt. I para. 37(a) (with Sch. 2 paras. 6, 16)
F2Words in s. 56 inserted (1.10.2002) by National Health Service Reform and Health Care Professions Act 2002 (c. 17), ss. 2(5), 42(3), Sch. 2 Pt. 1 para. 30(a); S.I. 2002/2478, art. 3(1)(d)
F3Words in s. 56 substituted (28.6.1995 for specified purposes and otherwise 1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 17, ss. 2(1)(3), 8(1), Sch. 1 Pt. I para. 37(b) (with Sch. 2 paras. 6, 16)
F4S. 56(i) substituted by Health and Social Security Act 1984 (c. 48, SIF 113:1), s. 5(4), Sch. 3 para. 8
F5Words in s. 56 substituted (28.6.1995 for specified purposes and otherwise 1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 17, ss. 2(1)(3), 8(1), Sch. 1 Pt. I para. 37(c) (with Sch. 2 paras. 6, 16)
F6Words in s. 56(i) inserted (1.10.2002) by National Health Service Reform and Health Care Professions Act 2002 (c. 17), ss. 2(5), 42(3), Sch. 2 Pt. 1 para. 30(b); S.I. 2002/2478, art. 3(1)(d)
