Part 4Miscellaneous

Other

62Medical examinations

1

The Social Security Act 1998 (c. 14) is amended as follows.

2

In section 19 (medical examination required by Secretary of State), in subsections (1) and (2)(b), for “medical practitioner” substitute “ health care professional approved by the Secretary of State ”.

3

In section 20 (medical examination required by appeal tribunal), in subsection (2), for “medical practitioner” substitute “ health care professional approved by the Secretary of State ”.

4

In that section, after subsection (2), insert—

2A

The power under subsection (2) to refer a person to a health care professional approved by the Secretary of State includes power to specify the description of health care professional to whom the person is to be referred.

5

In section 39 (interpretation), in subsection (1), after the definition of “Commissioner” 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 Act 1999, 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 2002 as the Secretary of State may prescribe;