4.—(1) The PDS Regulations are amended as follows.
(2) In regulation 20C(2)(1)(variation of contractual terms in respect of election to enter into a prototype agreement), for “31st March 2018” substitute “31st March 2020”.
(3) In paragraph 39 of Schedule 3 (notification of a course of treatment, orthodontic course of treatment etc)—
(a)after sub-paragraph (1)(f), for “send to the Board, on a form supplied by it” substitute “subject to sub-paragraph (5), send to the Board by means of electronic submission”;
(b)for sub-paragraph (3)(d) substitute “in the case of a patient who is exempt from NHS Charges, the information required under sub-paragraph (4).”; and
(c)after sub-paragraph (3) insert the following—
“(4) In the case of a patient who is exempt from NHS Charges, the contractor must provide the Board (or a person authorised on the Board’s behalf) with—
(a)such details of that exemption as the Board may reasonably request; and
(b)the written declaration.
(5) The Board may accept submission of the information mentioned in sub-paragraph (2) in paper form in such exceptional circumstances as the Board may reasonably determine.
(6) In this regulation, ‘electronic submission’ means the submission of information electronically via a computer system approved by the Board.”.
Regulation 20C was inserted by S.I. 2015/1728 and was amended by S.I. 2016/298.