The National Health Service (Charges, Payments and Remission of Charges) (Uprating, Miscellaneous Amendments and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2015

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations amend the National Health Service (Travel Expenses and Remission of Charges) Regulations 2003 (“the 2003 Regulations”), the National Health Service (Dental Charges) Regulations 2005 (“the 2005 Regulations”), the Primary Ophthalmic Services Regulations 2008 (“the 2008 Regulations”) and the National Health Service (Optical Charges and Payments) Regulations 2013 (“the 2013 Regulations”).

Regulation 5 of the 2003 Regulations makes provision for England to enable people in receipt of certain state benefits, or on low incomes, to be reimbursed for travel expenses incurred in obtaining certain NHS services and to be exempt from paying certain NHS charges, without needing to make a claim. This includes, for a time limited period, persons who are in receipt of universal credit and certain dependent children and young persons. Regulation 2 of these Regulations amends regulation 5(1)(f) of the 2003 Regulations to extend the end date of that time limited period from 31st March 2015 to 31st October 2015.

The 2005 Regulations include the charges that are levied for NHS dental and orthodontic treatment in England. Regulation 3 amends the 2005 Regulations to increase the charges for Band 1 courses of treatment from £18.50 to £18.80, for Band 2 courses of treatment from £50.50 to £51.30 and for Band 3 courses of treatment from £219.00 to £222.50. Band 1A charges in respect of interim care courses of treatment provided by contractors participating in the Capitation and Quality Scheme 2 pilot schemes are also increased from £18.50 to £18.80, in line with Band 1 charges.

Regulation 3 of the 2008 Regulations makes provision in England about who is entitled to primary ophthalmic services sight tests under the National Health Service Act 2006. This includes, for a time limited period, persons who are in receipt of universal credit and certain dependent children and young persons. Regulation 4 of these Regulations amends regulation 3(2)(l) of the 2008 Regulations to extend the end date of that time limited period from 31st March 2015 to 31st October 2015.

The 2013 Regulations provide for a scheme for England 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 5 amends the 2013 Regulations to increase the value of the vouchers which certain categories of persons may use in connection with receiving eye tests and the supply, replacement and repair of optical appliances by an average overall of 1%. Regulation 6 provides for transitional provision in relation to vouchers accepted, presented or used prior to these Regulations coming into force.

The persons who benefit under 2013 Regulations – from the scheme for payments to be made, by means of a voucher system, in respect of costs incurred in connection with sight tests and the supply, replacement and repair of optical appliances – include, for a time limited period, persons who are in receipt of universal credit and certain dependent children and young persons. Regulation 7 of these Regulations amends regulation 8(3)(j) of the 2013 Regulations to extend the end date of that time limited period from 31st March 2015 to 31st October 2015.