The National Health Service (Ophthalmic Services) (Wales) Regulations 2023

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations provide for arrangements in relation to primary ophthalmic services under the National Health Service in Wales. They supersede, consolidate and revoke previous Regulations.

The Regulations in large part replicate the provisions of the revoked Regulations in relation to the arrangements to be made by Local Health Boards for general ophthalmic services (sight tests).

In addition to the provisions about general ophthalmic services, the Regulations require Local Health Boards to also make arrangements for the provision of eye examination services under the National Health Service in Wales. General ophthalmic services and the eye examination services are collectively referred to in the Regulations as “primary ophthalmic services”.

Part 2 of the Regulations defines primary ophthalmic services and places a duty on Local Health Boards to arrange for the provision of eye examination services in their area.

Part 3 of the Regulations (and Schedule 1) makes provision in relation to general ophthalmic services, including setting out who is eligible to receive general ophthalmic services.

Part 4 of the Regulations (and Schedules 2 and 3) makes provision requiring each Local Health Board to maintain a combined list (comprised of the ophthalmic and supplementary lists), and provision about the qualification of ophthalmic medical practitioners. The “ophthalmic list” is a list of contractors that provide primary ophthalmic services in the Local Health Board’s area and the “supplementary list” is a list of the persons approved by the Local Health Board for the purpose of assisting in the provision of primary ophthalmic services. The Regulations require those registered with the General Optical Council as student optometrists to be included in a combined list before they may be employed to assist in the provision of primary ophthalmic services.

Part 5 of the Regulations (and Schedule 4) makes provision about arrangements with qualified practitioners for the provision of primary ophthalmic services.

Part 6 of the Regulations makes miscellaneous provision including in relation to the disclosure and publication of information, and the service of documents.

Part 7 of the Regulations (and Schedules 5, 6 and 7) makes consequential, revocation, transitional and saving provisions.