136.This section amends sections 44 and 45 of the 1977 Act to enable Local Medical and Local Dental Committees to represent doctors and dentists other than just those on Health Authority lists. Where the Health Authority concerned agrees to recognise such a committee, the Local Medical or Dental Committee will be able to represent such doctors or dentists who work as assistants or deputies to those on the Health Authority list, or in personal medical or personal dental services, as wish to be represented.
137.Section 11 further amends section 45 of the 1977 Act to allow regulations to require Health Authorities to consult Local Medical and Dental Committees either in the exercise of their functions under Part II of the 1977 Act, or in the exercise of any of their functions relating to personal medical or personal dental services, but makes it clear that this is without prejudice to any other powers to require Health Authorities to consult these committees, such as in directions.
138.The section also amends section 45 of the 1977 Act to allow Local Medical or Dental Committees to apportion the amount of their administrative expenses between those who are on the Health Authority list and those who are not.
Commentary on Sections Part I - the National Health Service Section 11: Local representative committees