Health Department

 

Dear Colleague

HOSPITAL EYE SERVICE:

1. Increase in the NHS Sight Test Fee for Optometrists and Ophthalmic Medical Practitioners from 1 April 1999;

2. Increase in the NHS Domiciliary Visiting Fees for Optometrists and Ophthalmic Medical Practitioners from 1 April 1999;

3. Changes in the NHS Sight Test and Domiciliary Visiting Fees for HC3 Holders

 

Summary

1. This letter advises Health Boards and NHS Trusts of increases in the NHS sight test and NHS domiciliary visiting fees payable to optometrists and ophthalmic medical practitioners, under General Ophthalmic Services (GOS) provisions, from 1 April 1999.

Background

Increased NHS Sight Tests Fee

2. Health Boards and NHS Trusts are asked to note that, following consultation with representatives of the professions, Scottish Ministers have determined that the NHS sight test fee which should be paid to:

· optometrists for NHS sight tests carried out on or after 1 April 1999 is £15.01; and

· ophthalmic medical practitioners for NHS sight tests carried out on or after 1 April 1999 is £15.01. This consists of a fee element of £11.11 and an expenses component of £3.90.

Increased NHS Domiciliary Visiting Fees

3. Health Boards and NHS Trusts are asked to note that the NHS domiciliary visiting fees for optometrists and ophthalmic medical practitioners which are payable in addition to the relevant NHS sight test fee are £26.53 for the first and second patients seen at one visit and £6.64 for the third and subsequent patients seen at the same visit. The increased fees should be paid for NHS domiciliary sight tests carried out on or after 1 April 1999.

NHS MEL (2000)30

6th June 2000

______________________________

Addressees

For action:

General Managers, Health Boards
Chief Executives, NHS Trusts

For information:

General Manager, Common Services Agency
General Manager, State Hospitals Board for Scotland
General Manager, Health Education Board for Scotland
Executive Director, SCPMDE

_______________________

 

Enquiries to:

Brian D West
PHPU1-3
Mail Point 3E(South)
St Andrew’s House
EDINBURGH
EH1 3DG

Tel: 0131 244 2568
Fax: 0131 244 2866
E-mail: brian.west@scotland.gov.uk
_______________________

 

Changes to the NHS Sight Test and Domiciliary Visiting Fees for HC3 Holders

4. From 1 April 2000 entitlement for patients who hold partial exemption certificate HC3 will be calculated using the following amounts:

· a private sight test carried out at an optician’s premises up to a maximum of the NHS sight test fee of £15.01;

· a private domiciliary sight test up to the maximum of the NHS domiciliary sight test fee of £41.54.

5. Any enquiries about the content of this letter should be addressed to Mr Brian D West, Mail Point 3E(South), St Andrew’s House, Regent Road, Edinburgh EH1 3DG, Tel: 0131 244 2568.

 Yours sincerely

 

 

AGNES ROBSON
Director of Primary Care