324   Powers of approved medical specialist on assessment

(1)  The approved medical specialist assessing a medical dispute may:

(a)  consult with any medical practitioner or other health care professional who is treating or has treated the worker, and

(b)  call for the production of such medical records (including X-rays and the results of other tests) and other information as the approved medical specialist considers necessary or desirable for the purposes of assessing a medical dispute referred to him or her, and

(c)  require the worker to submit himself or herself for examination by the approved medical specialist.

(2)  If a worker refuses to submit himself or herself for examination by the approved medical specialist if required to do so, or in any way obstructs the examination:

(a)  the worker’s right to recover compensation with respect to the injury, or

(b)  the worker’s right to weekly payments,

      is suspended until the examination has taken place.

(3)  This section extends to the assessment of a medical dispute in the course of an appeal or further assessment under this Part. An approved medical specialist who is a member of the Appeal Panel hearing the appeal or who is assessing the matter by way of further assessment has all the powers of an approved medical specialist under this section on an assessment of a medical dispute.