The National Health Service (Optical Charges and Payments) and (General Ophthalmic Services) (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations 2005

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations further amend the National Health Service (Optical Charges and Payments) Regulations 1997 (“the 1997 Regulations”) and the National Health Service (General Ophthalmic Services) Regulations 1986 (“the 1986 Regulations”).

The 1986 Regulations contain provision for the arrangements for general ophthalmic services under the National Health Service. Regulation 2 of these Regulations amends regulation 13 of the 1986 Regulations to increase the amount used as the basis for calculating entitlement to a free sight test under those Regulations.

The 1997 Regulations provide for payments to be made by means of a voucher system in respect of costs incurred by certain categories of persons in connection with the supply, replacement and repair of optical appliances.

Regulation 3 amends regulation 1 of the 1997 Regulations to increase the NHS sight test fee.

Regulation 4 amends regulation 8 of the 1997 Regulations to increase the amount used as the basis for calculating eligibility for a contribution to the cost of an optical appliance under those Regulations.

Regulation 5 amends regulation 19 of the 1997 Regulations to increase the redemption value of a voucher issued towards the cost of replacement of a single contact lens and to increase the maximum contribution by way of voucher to the cost of repair of a frame.

Regulation 6 and the Schedule amend the Schedules of the 1997 Regulations to increase the value of vouchers issued towards the costs of the supply and replacement of glasses and contact lenses, to increase the additional values for vouchers for prisms, tints, photocromic lenses and special categories of appliances and to increase the value of vouchers issued towards the cost of the repair and replacement of optical appliances. The rate of increase in the Schedule to these Regulations is approximately 2.5%.