26.—(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), no amendment or variation to the LPS scheme shall have effect unless it is in writing and signed by or on behalf of the Primary Care Trust and the contractor.
(2) The Primary Care Trust may vary the scheme without the contractor’s consent where it—
(a)is reasonably satisfied that it is necessary to vary the scheme so as to comply with the Act, any regulations made under that Act, or any direction given by the Secretary of State under that Act; and
(b)notifies the contractor in writing of the wording of the proposed variation and the date upon which that variation is to take effect,
and, where it is reasonably practicable to do so, the date that the proposed variation is to take effect must be not less than 14 days after the date on which the notice under paragraph (b) is served on the contractor.