Citation, commencement and interpretation

1. —(1) These Regulations may be cited as the National Health Service (Charges, Payments and Remission of Charges) (Uprating, Miscellaneous Amendments and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2014 and come into force on 1st April 2014.

(2) In these Regulations, “the 2000 Regulations” means the National Health Service (Charges for Drugs and Appliances) Regulations 2000( 2 ).

Uprating of charges in the National Health Service (Charges for Drugs and Appliances) Regulations 2000

2. —(1) The 2000 Regulations are amended as follows.

(2) In each of the following provisions, for “£7.85” at each place where it occurs substitute “£8.05”—

(a) regulation 3(1)(a) and (b), (1A)(b)(i) and (ii) and (4) (charges for the supply of drugs and appliances by chemists);

(b) regulation 4(1)(a) and (b) and (4) (charges for the supply of drugs and appliances by doctors);

(c) regulation 4A(1)(a) and (b) (charges for the out of hours supply of drugs and appliances by providers of out of hours services);

(d) regulation 5(1)(a) and (d) and (5) (charges for the supply of drugs and appliances by NHS trusts and NHS foundation trusts);

(e) regulation 6(1)(a) and (b) and (4) (charges for the supply of drugs and appliances at Walk-in Centres);

(f) regulation 6A(1) (charges for the supply of drugs under Patient Group Directions); and

(g) regulation 6B(1)(a) and (d) and (9) (charges for the supply of drugs and appliances by other providers of NHS services).

(3) In each of the following provisions, for “£15.70” at each place where it occurs substitute “£16.10”—

(a) regulation 3(1)(a) and (1A)(b)(i) (charge for the supply of a pair of elastic hosiery by chemists);

(b) regulation 4(1)(a) (charge for the supply of a pair of elastic hosiery by doctors);

(c) regulation 4A(1)(a) (charge for the out of hours supply of a pair of elastic hosiery by providers of out of hours services);

(d) regulation 5(1)(a) and (c) (charge for the supply of a pair of elastic hosiery or tights by NHS trusts and NHS foundation trusts);

(e) regulation 6(1)(a) (charge for the supply of a pair of elastic hosiery at Walk-in Centres); and

(f) regulation 6B(1)(a) and (c) (charge for the supply of a pair of elastic hosiery or tights by other providers of NHS services).

(4) In column (2) of Schedule 1 (charges for fabric supports and wigs), in column (2) of the table (specified charge)—

(a) for “£26.35” substitute “£27.05”;

(b) for “£39.75” substitute “£40.85”;

(c) for “£64.95” substitute “£66.70”;

(d) for “£172.00” substitute “£176.65”; and

(e) for “£251.55” substitute “£258.35”.

Transitional provision relating to the uprating of charges in the National Health Service (Charges for Drugs and Appliances) Regulations 2000

3. Where, on or after 1st April 2014, an appliance specified in column (1) of the table in Schedule 1 to the 2000 Regulations (charges for fabric supports and wigs – specified appliance) is supplied pursuant to an order made before that date, the 2000 Regulations are to have effect in relation to the supply of that appliance as if regulation 2(4) had not come into force.

Amendment of the National Health Service (Travel Expenses and Remission of Charges) Regulations 2003

4. In regulation 5 of the National Health Service (Travel Expenses and Remission of Charges) Regulations 2003( 3 ) (entitlement to full remission and payment), in paragraph (1)(f), for “5th April 2014” substitute “31st October 2014”.

Uprating of charges in the National Health Service (Dental Charges) Regulations 2005

5. —(1)The National Health Service (Dental Charges) Regulations 2005( 4 ) are amended as follows.

(2) In regulation 4 (calculation of charges)—

(a) in paragraph (1), for “£18.00” substitute “£18.50”;

(b) in paragraph (2), for “£49.00” substitute “£50.50”;

(c) in paragraph (3), for “£214.00” substitute “£219.00”;

(d) in paragraph (4), for “£214.00” substitute “£219.00”; and

(e) in paragraph (5), for “£18.00” substitute “£18.50”.

(3) In regulation 13A(2) (charges in respect of primary dental services provided under a Capitation and Quality Scheme 2 Agreement), for “£18.00” substitute “£18.50”.

Amendment of the Primary Ophthalmic Services Regulations 2008

6. In regulation 3 of the Primary Ophthalmic Services Regulations 2008( 5 ) (sight tests –eligibility), in paragraph (2)(l), for “5th April 2014” substitute “31st October 2014”.

Amendment of the National Health Service (Optical Charges and Payments) Regulations 2013

7. In regulation 8 of the National Health Service (Optical Charges and Payments) Regulations 2013( 6 ) (eligibility for a voucher – supply of optical appliances), in paragraph (3)(j), for “5th April 2014” substitute “31st October 2014”.