Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act 2013

Establishment of review committee, etc.

12. (1) As soon as may be but, in any event, not later than 3 days from the date on which it receives an application under section 10 (2), the Executive shall establish and convene (or cause to be convened) a committee, the membership of which shall, subject to subsections (2) to (5), be drawn from the review panel, to review the relevant decision that is the subject of the application.

(2) In the case of a relevant decision which relates to the circumstances referred to in section 7 (1), the review committee shall consist of—

(a) an obstetrician who practises as such at an appropriate institution, and

(b) a medical practitioner of a relevant speciality.

(3) In the case of a relevant decision which relates to the circumstances referred to in section 9 (1), the review committee shall consist of—

(a) an obstetrician who practises as such at an appropriate institution,

(b) a psychiatrist who practises as such at an appropriate institution, and

(c) a psychiatrist who practises as such—

(i) at an approved centre, or

(ii) for, or on behalf of, the Executive,

or both.

(4) Of the 2 psychiatrists referred to in subsection (3), at least one shall be a psychiatrist who provides, or who has provided, mental health services to women in respect of pregnancy, childbirth or post-partum care.

(5) A medical practitioner shall be disqualified from sitting on the review committee where he or she has previously been consulted by the pregnant woman in relation to the matter that is the subject of the relevant decision to be reviewed by the committee.

(6) For the purposes of this Chapter, a relevant decision which falls within paragraph (a) of section 10 (1) shall be treated as if it were a refusal to give an opinion such as would be required for the purposes of a section 7 certification (where the circumstances referred to in section 7 (1) apply) or a section 9 certification (where the circumstances referred to in section 9 (1) apply).