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 2015 and come into force on 1st April 2015.

(2) In these Regulations, the “2013 Regulations” mean the National Health Service (Optical Charges and Payments) Regulations 2013( 2 ).

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

2. 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 “1st April 2015”, at both places, substitute “31st October 2015”.

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

3. —(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 “£18.50” substitute “£18.80”;

(b) in paragraph (2), for “£50.50” substitute “£51.30”;

(c) in paragraph (3), for “£219.00” substitute “£222.50”;

(d) in paragraph (4), for “£219.00” substitute “£222.50”; and

(e) in paragraph (5), for “£18.50” substitute “£18.80”.

(3) In regulation 13A(2) (charges in respect of primary dental services provided under a Capitation and Quality Scheme 2 Agreement), for “£18.50” substitute “£18.80”.

Amendment of the Primary Ophthalmic Services Regulations 2008

4. In regulation 3 of the Primary Ophthalmic Services Regulations 2008( 5 ) (sight tests –eligibility), in paragraph (2)(l), for “1st April 2015”, at both places, substitute “31st October 2015”.

Uprating of amounts in the 2013 Regulations

5. —(1) The 2013 Regulations are amended as follows.

(2) In regulation 20( 6 ) (redemption value of voucher for replacement or repair)—

(a) in paragraph (1)(b), for “£55.80” substitute “£56.40”; and

(b) in paragraph (3), for “£14.40” substitute “£14.60”.

(3) In Schedule 1( 7 ) (voucher letter codes and face values – supply and replacement), in column (3) of the table (face value of voucher), for each amount specified in column (1) of the table below substitute the amount specified in relation to it in column (2) of the table below—

(4) In Schedule 2( 8 ) (prisms, tints, photochromic lenses, small and special glasses and complex appliances)—

(a) in paragraph 1(1)(a), for “£12.40” substitute “£12.50”;

(b) in paragraph 1(1)(b), for “£15.00” substitute “£15.20”;

(c) in paragraph 1(1)(c), for “£4.20” substitute “£4.30”;

(d) in paragraph 1(1)(d), for “£4.70” substitute “£4.80”;

(e) in paragraph 1(1)(e), for “£63.00”, “£55.80” and “£30.20” substitute “£63.60”, “£56.40” and “£30.50” respectively;

(f) in paragraph 1(1)(f)—

(i) in sub-paragraph (i), for “£63.00” substitute “£63.60”,

(ii) in sub-paragraph (ii), for £55.80” substitute “£56.40”, and

(iii) in sub-paragraph (iii), for “£30.20” substitute “£30.50”;

(g) in paragraph 2(a), for “£14.40” substitute “£14.50”; and

(h) in paragraph 2(b), for “£36.60” substitute “£37.00”.

(5) In Schedule 3( 9 ) (voucher values repair), for the table substitute the following table—

Transitional provision relating to the uprating of the value of the vouchers provided under the 2013 Regulations

6. Where a voucher is accepted, presented or used pursuant to regulation 12 (use of vouchers for supply of optical appliances) or regulation 18 (use of vouchers for replacement or repair) of the 2013 Regulations before 1st April 2015, Schedules 1, 2 and 3 of the 2013 Regulations have effect in relation to that acceptance, presentation or use as if regulation 5 had not come into force.

Additional amendment of the 2013 Regulations

7. In regulation 8 of the 2013 Regulations( 10 ) (eligibility for a voucher – supply of optical appliances), in paragraph (3)(j), for “1st April 2015”, at both places, substitute “31st October 2015”.