
1 
These Regulations may be cited as the Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments No. 3) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 and shall come into operation on 6th August 2007.
2 

(1) The Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1977 are amended in accordance with paragraphs (2) and (3).
(2) In regulation 2(1) (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 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 prescribed by the Department in accordance with powers under Article 2(2) of the Social Security (Northern Ireland) Order 1998;”.
(3) In regulation 26(1)(a) (obligations of claimants for, and beneficiaries in receipt of disablement benefit) for “medical practitioner” substitute “health care professional approved by the Department”.
3 

(1) The Social Security (Incapacity for Work) (General) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1995 are amended in accordance with paragraphs (2) to (4).
(2) In regulation 2(1) (interpretation) after the definition of “doctor” 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 prescribed by the Department in accordance with powers under Article 2(2) of the Social Security (Northern Ireland) Order 1998;”.
(3) In regulation 8(1) (person may be called for a medical examination) for “doctor” substitute “health care professional”.
(4) In regulation 27(d) (exceptional circumstances) for “doctor” substitute “health care professional”.
4 

(1) The Social Security and Child Support (Decisions and Appeals) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999 are amended in accordance with paragraphs (2) and (3).
(2) In regulation 12 (decisions of the Department relating to industrial injuries benefit)—
(a) in paragraph (2) for “medical practitioner” substitute “health care professional approved by the Department”; and
(b) in paragraph (3)(b)—
(i) for “medical practitioner”, in the first place it occurs, substitute “health care professional”, and
(ii) for “medical practitioner”, in the second place it occurs substitute “health care professional approved by the Department”.
(3) In regulation 19(1) (suspension and termination for failure to submit to medical examination) for “medical practitioner” substitute “health care professional approved by the Department”.
Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department for Social Development on 16th July 2007
(L.S.)John O’Neill
A senior officer of the Department for Social Development
