143Referral of medical dispute for assessment

143 Referral of medical dispute for assessment

143 Referral of medical dispute for assessment

(1) A medical dispute may be referred for assessment under this subdivision by the Commission or the President—

(a) on the motion of the Commission or the President, or

(b) at the request of a party to the dispute.

(2) The President must give the parties notice of the referral.

(3) The parties to the dispute may agree on the medical assessor who will assess the dispute but, if the parties have not agreed within 7 days after the dispute is referred, the President must choose the medical assessor who will assess the dispute.

(4) The President may arrange for a medical assessor to assess the dispute outside the State—

(a) if requested by a party to the dispute, or

(b) with the consent of the parties to the dispute.

(5) In deciding whether to make an arrangement under subsection (4), the President must consider the following—

(a) the interests and wishes of the parties to the dispute,

(b) the nature and complexity of the dispute,

(c) whether the arrangement is necessary for the timely and cost-effective assessment of the dispute,

(d) other matters the President considers relevant.