Explanatory Note
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations amend the National Health Service (General Ophthalmic Services) Regulations 1986 (“the 1986 Regulations”) and the National Health Service (Optical Charges and Payments) Regulations 1997 (“the 1997 Regulations”).
The 1986 Regulations contain provision for the arrangements for general ophthalmic services under the National Health Service.
The 1997 Regulations provide for a scheme of payments to be made by Local Health Boards and National Health Service Trusts by means of a voucher system in respect of the costs incurred by certain categories of persons in connection with sight tests and the supply, replacement and repair of optical appliances.
Regulation 2 of these Regulations inserts a new definition into regulation 2(1) of the 1986 Regulations (interpretation) and amends regulation 13 (sight tests — eligibility) to provide that a person who is receiving income-related employment and support allowance (or a member of that person’s family) will be entitled to receive an NHS sight test.
Regulation 3 inserts a new definition into regulation 1 (citation, commencement and interpretation) of the 1997 Regulations and amends regulation 8 (eligibility — supply of optical appliances) to provide that a person who is receiving income-related employment and support allowance (or a member of that person’s family) will be entitled to receive a voucher in respect of an optical appliance.