Amendment of the Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations 19792.

(1)

The Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations 19795 are amended as follows.

(2)

In regulation 2(1)6 (interpretation), after the definition of “claim for benefit” insert—

““health care professional” means—

(a)

a registered medical practitioner,

(b)

a registered nurse,

(c)

an occupational therapist or physiotherapist registered with a regulatory body established by an Order in Council under section 60 of the Health Care Act 19997, or

(d)

a member of such other profession, regulated by a body mentioned in section 25(3) of the National Health Service Reform and Health Care Professions Act 20028, prescribed by the Secretary of State in accordance with powers under section 39(1) of the Social Security Act 19989.”

(3)

In regulation 26(1)(a)10(obligations of claimants for, and beneficiaries in respect of disablement benefit), for “medical practitioner” substitute “health care professional approved by the Secretary of State”.