537Establishment and constitution

537 Establishment and constitution (1) Medical Panels must be constituted as necessary for the purposes of this Act, the **Accident Compensation Act 1985** and Part VBA of the **Wrongs Act 1958** to carry out such functions as may be conferred on a Medical Panel. (2) For the purpose of constituting Medical Panels, there is to be a list of members consisting of medical practitioners nominated by the Minister on the recommendation of the Convenor and appointed by the Governor in Council. (3) From the list of members under subsection (2), the Minister— (a) must appoint a Convenor; and (b) may appoint one or more Deputy Convenors. (4) The Convenor must designate a Deputy Convenor to act as Convenor in the temporary absence of the Convenor. (5) In the temporary absence of the Convenor— (a) a Deputy Convenor designated under subsection (4); or (b) if there is no such designated Deputy Convenor, a Deputy Convenor designated by the Minister— has, and may exercise, the functions and powers conferred on the Convenor. (6) The Convenor may delegate to a Deputy Convenor the exercise of any function or power conferred on the Convenor by or under this Act. (7) The Convenor may— (a) convene a Medical Panel; and (b) determine the number of members that are to constitute a Medical Panel based on what he or she considers to be appropriate in each particular case. (8) If a medical practitioner on the list of members has treated or examined or been engaged to treat or examine a worker (otherwise than in his or her role as a member of a Medical Panel) he or she must not be a member of a Medical Panel examining the worker. (9) A matter or thing done or omitted to be done in the provision of expert advice to a Medical Panel by a consultant engaged for that purpose does not, if the matter or thing was done or omitted in good faith, subject the consultant personally to any action, liability, claim or demand. (10) A member of a Medical Panel is entitled to be paid remuneration (if any) and the travelling and other allowances specified in the instrument of appointment. (11) The **Public Administration Act 2004** (other than Part 3 of that Act) applies to a member in respect of the office of member. (12) An instrument of appointment of a member may specify other terms and conditions not inconsistent with this Act. (13) The Authority must appoint such officers and employees as are necessary for the proper functioning of medical panels. S. 537A inserted by No. 73/2016 s. 16.