Paragraph 3 I1

In Part 2 (arrangements for ophthalmic services), after regulation 4 insert—

“Issue of orders signed by a qualifying optometrist

4A.

(1)

A qualifying optometrist F1must order ophthalmic listed medicines or ophthalmic listed appliances as are required for the treatment of any patient to whom it is providing services under the contract by issuing to the patient an order signed by a qualifying optometrist.

(2)

Every order must—

(a)

be signed by the qualifying optometrist,

(b)

be issued separately to each patient to whom the contractor is providing services under the contract, and

(c)

be requested on a form that is supplied for the purposes of this paragraph by the Local Health Board.

Excessive prescribing

4B.

A qualifying optometrist must not order drugs or appliances whose cost or quantity, in relation to any patient, is, by reason of the character of that drug or appliance, in excess of that which was reasonably necessary for the proper treatment of that patient.”