(This note is not part of the Regulations)
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.