These Regulations further amend the National Health Service (Optical Charges and Payments) (Scotland) Regulations 1998 which 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 sight tests and the supply, replacement or repair of optical appliances.

Regulation 2(2)(a) and (3) extend the description of persons entitled to a payment towards the cost incurred for the supply of an optical appliance for which a prescription has been given to include persons in receipt of pension credit guarantee credit and members of their family.

Regulation 2(3)(b) extends the current definition of “family” contained in section 137(1) of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 to the family of a person in receipt of state pension credit guarantee credit.