The National Health Service (Optical Charges and Payments) and (General Ophthalmic Services) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2002

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations amend the National Health Service (Optical Charges and Payments) (Scotland) Regulations 1998 (“the 1998 Regulations”) which provide for payments to be made by means of a voucher system, in respect of eligibility to obtain a voucher and of costs incurred by certain categories of persons in connection with the supply, replacement and repair of optical appliances. They also amend the National Health Service (General Ophthalmic Services) (Scotland) Regulations 1986 (“the 1986 Regulations”), which provide for arrangements under which ophthalmic medical practitioners and ophthalmic opticians provide general ophthalmic services under the National Health Service.

Regulation 2(2) amends regulation 8(3) of the 1998 Regulations (eligibility – supply of optical appliances) by increasing the amounts in sub-paragraphs (c), (d) and (g), by reference to which a person’s eligibility for vouchers is assessed, from £71 to £72.20.

Regulation 2(3) amends regulation 19 of the 1998 Regulations (redemption value of voucher for replacement or repair) to increase the value of an optical voucher issued towards the cost of replacing a single contact lens, and to increase the maximum contribution by way of voucher to the cost of repairing a frame.

Regulation 2(4) amends Schedule 1 to the 1998 Regulations to increase the value of vouchers issued towards the cost of the supply and replacement of glasses and contact lenses.

Regulation 2(5) and the Schedule substitute a new Schedule 2 in the 1998 Regulations to increase the value of vouchers issued towards the cost of the repair and replacement of optical appliances.

Regulation 2(6) increases the additional values for vouchers for prisms, tints or photochromic lenses, and special categories of appliances.

The increase in voucher values is, on average, 1.95 per cent.

Regulation 4 amends regulation 14(2) of the 1986 Regulations (sight tests – eligibility) by increasing the amounts in sub-paragraphs (c), (d) and (g), by reference to which a person’s eligibility for sight testing is assessed, from £71 to £72.20.