Amendment to the Optical Charges and Payments Regulations8

1

The Optical Charges and Payments Regulations are amended as follows.

2

In regulation 1(2)( interpretation:);—

a

after the definition of “disability element” insert—

  • “electronic form” means the submission of information electronically via a computer system approved by the Board;

b

for the definition of “voucher” substitute—

  • “voucher” for the purposes of enabling a payment to be made under these Regulations means—

    1. a

      in Part 3, a voucher form approved by the Secretary of State or the Board which is used by a person with whom the Board has entered into a general ophthalmic services contract under section 117 of the 2006 Act (general ophthalmic services contracts: introductory);

    2. b

      in Part 4, a voucher form—

      1. i

        where a sight test is carried out by an NHS trust or NHS foundation trust, supplied by that NHS trust or NHS foundation trust; and

      2. ii

        in any other case, approved by the Secretary of State or the Board and used by the person who carries out the sight test;

    3. c

      in Part 5, a voucher form—

      1. i

        where an optical appliance is repaired or replaced by an NHS trust or NHS foundation trust, supplied by that NHS trust or NHS foundation trust;

      2. ii

        in any other case, approved by the Secretary of State or the Board

3

In regulation 5(2)(b)(i) (payments to ophthalmic practitioners), after “completed voucher” insert “(which may be submitted in either electronic or paper form)”.

4

In regulation 14(2)(c)(ii) (payments to suppliers), after “completed voucher” insert “(which may be submitted in either electronic or paper form)”.

5

In regulation 19(2)(b)(iii) (payments to suppliers for the replacement or repair), after “completed voucher” insert “(which may be submitted in either electronic or paper form)”.

6

Regulation 26 (signatures and claims for payments) is renumbered as paragraph (1) of that regulation.

7

After regulation 26(1) as so renumbered, insert—

2

A signature required by these Regulations must—

i

where an electronic form is used, be in digital ink, or

ii

where a paper form is used be in ink,

and must be in the signatory’s own handwriting with the signatory’s initials or forename and surname and not by means of a stamp or a reproduced image.