SCHEDULE 3Other contractual terms

PART 1Provision of services

F1NHS e-Referral Service (e-RS)11A

1

Except in the case of a contractor to which sub-paragraph (2) or (3) applies, a contractor must require the use in its practice F2... of the system for electronic referrals known as the NHS e-Referral Service (“e-RS”) in respect of each referral of any of its registered patients to a first consultant-led out-patient appointment for medical services under the Act in respect of which the facility to use e-RS is available.

2

This sub-paragraph applies to a contractor which does not yet have e-RS in place for use in the contractor’s practice F2....

3

This sub-paragraph applies to a contractor which—

a

is experiencing technical or other practical difficulties which are preventing the use, or effective use, of e-RS in its practice F2...; and

b

has notified F3NHS England that this is the case.

4

A contractor to which sub-paragraph (2) applies must require the use in its practice F2... of alternative means of referring its registered patients to a first consultant-led out-patient appointment for medical services under the Act until such time as the contractor has e-RS in place for use in its practice F2....

5

A contractor to which sub-paragraph (3) applies—

a

must ensure that a plan is agreed between the contractor’s practice and F3NHS England for resolving the technical or other practical difficulties which are preventing the use, or effective use, of e-RS in the contractor’s practice F2...; and

b

must require the use in its practice F2... of alternative means of referring its registered patients to a first consultant-led out-patient appointment for medical services under the Act until such time as those technical or other practical difficulties have been resolved to the satisfaction of F3NHS England.