(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations amend the National Health Service (Optical Charges and Payments) (Scotland) Regulations 1998 (“the principal 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 the supply, replacement and repair of optical appliances.
Regulation 2(2) amends the principal Regulations as a consequence of the amendment made in the consolidation of the National Health Service (Charges for Drugs and Appliances) (Scotland) Regulations, which come into force on 1st April 2008 (see S.S.I. 2008/27). The amendment to those Regulations was made to recognise and apply different charges according to whether a Scottish prescription form or an equivalent prescription form issued in England, Wales or Northern Ireland is presented by a patient.
Regulation 2(3) amends the principal 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(4) amends the principal Regulations to increase the value of vouchers towards the cost of the supply and replacement of optical appliances.
Regulation 2(5) amends the principal Regulations to increase the value of vouchers issued towards the cost of the repair and replacement of optical appliances.
Regulation 2(6) amends the principal Regulations to increase the additional values for vouchers for prisms, tints or photochromic lenses and special categories of appliances.
The increases contained in regulation 2(3) to (6) and the Schedule come into force on 1st April 2008. Regulation 3 provides however that those increases only apply in relation to vouchers accepted or used on or after 1st April 2008.