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 costs incurred by certain categories of persons in connection with sight tests and the supply, replacement and repair of optical appliances.

Regulation 2(2) inserts a definition of “severe disability element” into the 1998 Regulations.

Regulation 2(3)(a) amends regulation 8(3)(k)(i) of the 1998 Regulations to 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 a person who is a member of a family, one member of which is receiving working tax credit with a severe disability element.

Regulation 2(3)(b) amends regulation 8(3)(k)(ii) of the 1998 Regulations by raising the relevant income level of a person or persons at the time an award of a tax credit is made under section 14 of the Tax Credits Act 2002 from £14,200 to £14,600.

Regulation 2(4) amends regulation 19 of the 1998 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 a voucher to the cost of repair of a frame.

Regulation 2(5) amends Schedule 1 to the 1998 Regulations to increase the value of vouchers towards the cost of the supply and replacement of optical appliances.

Regulation 2(6) substitutes 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(7) amends Schedule 3 to the 1998 Regulations to increase the additional values for vouchers for prisms, tints or photochromic lenses and special categories of appliances.

Regulation 3 provides that the increases contained in regulations 2(4) (7) and the Schedule only apply in relation to vouchers accepted or used on or after 1st April 2004.