Written question asked by Baroness Browning (Conservative) on Wednesday, 30 November 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 5 December 2005. It was answered by Baroness Winterton of Doncaster (Labour) on Thursday, 2 February 2006 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Optometry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions her Department has had with optometrists concerning their payment system for NHS eye examinations; and if she will make a statement.

Answer: [holding answer 5 December 2005]: I met with representatives of optometrists and dispensing opticians on 27 October 2005. One of the issues raised was their concern that changes might be made to current arrangements for a nationally negotiated sight test fee, with sight tests funded from a national budget. I assured them that we did not envisage any changes to these arrangements.The fee for the national health service funded sight test is currently subject to a three-year agreement, which ends in March 2006. Negotiations on the sight test fee for 2006–07 are due to begin shortly.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 442 c724-5W;442 c724-5W; 34513
Session: 2005-06
Subjects: Fees and charges Eyesight Medical examinations NHS Ophthalmic services Ophthalmology Testing
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk