31Period of validity for referrals

31 Period of validity for referrals

(1) Unless the period of validity for a referral is otherwise provided for in this regulation, the referral may state a period for which it remains valid and it will remain valid: (a) if the referral provides for it to be valid for a fixed period—for the period so provided after the first service given in accordance with the referral; or (b) if the referral provides for it to be valid indefinitely—for an indefinite period; or (c) if the referral does not provide for its validity—for 12 months after the first service given in accordance with the referral. (1A) A referral given by a specialist, or consultant physician, is valid: (a) if the referred patient is a patient in a hospital: (i) until the patient ceases to be a patient in a hospital; or (ii) until 3 months after the first service given in accordance with the referral; whichever is the later; or (b) in any other case—until 3 months after the first service given in accordance with the referral. (1B) A referral given by a participating midwife is valid: (a) until 12 months after the first service given in accordance with the referral; and (b) for 1 pregnancy only. (1C) A referral given by a participating nurse practitioner is valid until 12 months after the first service given in accordance with the referral. (2) A referral given under subregulation 30(1) is valid until the patient ceases to be a patient in the hospital who is not a public patient. (3) A referral given under subregulation 30(2) or subregulation 30(4) is valid for only 1 attendance on the patient. (4) A written referral that is lost, stolen or destroyed is valid for only 1 attendance on the patient.