PART 3Eligibility and applications for a sight test

Application for a sight test 6

1

An eligible person may apply to a contractor for a sight test.

2

The application must—

a

be made on a form provided for that purpose to contractors by the relevant Local Health Board, and

b

contain a written declaration, signed by the applicant in writing or electronically, to the effect that they are an eligible person.

3

Before providing such a sight test, a contractor to whom an application has been made must—

a

except where paragraph (4) applies, ask the person to produce satisfactory evidence that they meet one of the criteria in paragraph 1 of Schedule 1,

b

where the person has been asked for, but has not provided, satisfactory evidence that they are an eligible person, record that fact on the person’s primary ophthalmic services form,

c

ensure that the person’s details and the approximate date of their last sight test, if any, are recorded on a primary ophthalmic services form, and

d

satisfy themselves that the sight test is necessary.

4

This paragraph applies where—

a

the person is eligible by reason of paragraph 1(1)(d) of Schedule 1, and

b

satisfactory evidence of the person’s eligibility is already available to the contractor.

5

Paragraph 2 of Schedule 1 makes provision about the specific evidence that a contractor must request before providing a sight test to certain persons.

6

The contractor—

a

may appoint a member of their staff to carry out the requirements of paragraph (3)(a) and (b) on their behalf, and

b

must ensure that the member of staff appointed for that purpose is given instruction to enable them to fulfil the requirements on behalf of the contractor.

7

Subject to paragraph (8), an application for general ophthalmic services under these Regulations may be made and a signature required by these Regulations may be given—

a

on behalf of any person under 16 years of age, by either parent, the guardian or other adult who has care of the child;

b

on behalf of any person under 18 years of age—

i

in the care of a local authority to whose care they have been committed under the Children Act 198915 or which has received them into care under the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 201416, by a person duly authorised by that authority;

ii

in the care of a voluntary organisation, by that organisation or a person duly authorised by them;

c

on behalf of any other person who is incapable of making the application or giving the signature, by a relative or any other adult who has care of that person.

8

A signature on an application may not be given by the contractor to whom the application is made.