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—
- 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);
- b
in Part 4, a voucher form—
- 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
- 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;
- c
in Part 5, a voucher form—
- 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;
- 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.