The National Health Service (General Ophthalmic Services) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 1999

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations further amend the National Health Service (General Ophthalmic Services) (Scotland) Regulations 1986 (“the 1986 Regulations”) which provide for the arrangements under which ophthalmic medical practitioners and ophthalmic opticians provide general ophthalmic services under the National Health Service.

These Regulations amend the 1986 Regulations to replace references, where appropriate, to Health Boards where they relate to payment functions by references to the Common Services Agency to which payment functions will transfer on 1st April 1999.

Regulation 2(a) inserts a definition of “the Agency” and “Ophthalmic Officer”.

Regulation 3 amends regulation 3 of the 1986 Regulations to take account of changes in the qualifications required by ophthalmic medical practitioners.

Regulation 7 extends the categories of eligibility for general ophthalmic services to include persons aged 60 or over. It also extends the exemption category relating to glaucoma to include those who are advised by an ophthalmologist that they are predisposed to developing glaucoma.

Regulation 10(2) and (4) permits the inspection of premises, equipment and records by an authorised officer of the Common Services Agency.

The Regulations also make other minor updating amendments.