Explanatory note

These Regulations further amend the National Health Service (Optical Charges and Payments) Regulations 1997 (“the 1997 Regulations”) and the National Health Service (General Ophthalmic Services) Regulations 1986 (“the 1986 Regulations”). The 1997 Regulations provide a scheme for payments to be made by Health Authorities and NHS trusts 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. The 1986 Regulations provide for arrangements for general ophthalmic services under the National Health Service.

These Regulations enable 16 and 17 year old children leaving the care of a local authority (as well as certain other 16 and 17 year old children who have been looked after by a local authority for at least thirteen weeks since they were 14) who are being wholly or partly maintained by a responsible local authority to benefit from free eye tests and the free supply, replacement and repair of optical appliances.