31. (1) Where, following a notification under section 27, 28 or 29—

(a) the Authority,

(b) the chief inspector, or

(c) the Commission,

has had regard to the notifiable incident concerned and requires additional information in respect of the notifiable incident concerned, it, or he or she, may request the health services provider concerned to furnish it, or him or her, with additional information that is additional to the information specified in the notification, and where it, or he or she, considers it appropriate with the further information referred to in subsection (2) (in this Part referred to as “additional Part 4 information”).

(2) The further information referred to in subsection (1) (in this Part referred to as “further Part 4 information”) is information which—

(a) arises from the consideration by the Authority, chief inspector or Commission of the nature of the notifiable incident concerned, and

(b) having had regard to the safety of patients, and the performance by the Authority, chief inspector or Commission, it, or him or her, of its, or his or her, functions the Authority, chief inspector or Commission considers necessary for the performance of those functions.

(3) Additional Part 4 information or further Part 4 information, provided pursuant to a request under this section shall be provided in such manner as the Authority, chief inspector or Commission specifies in the request.