Written question asked by Kerry McCarthy (Labour) on Friday, 16 November 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 20 November 2007. It was answered by Ann Keen (Labour) on Tuesday, 11 December 2007 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Spectacles: Voucher Schemes

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will consider the merits of introducing NHS vouchers to meet the cost of sports glasses for those under 19 years of age and in full-time education.

Answer: National health service optical vouchers are available to children under 16 and children aged 16, 17 and 18 in full-time education. Where optical vouchers have been issued following the testing of sight they are used towards the cost of a powered optical appliance which meets the needs identified in the sight test. This is intended to be for optical appliances which meet the everyday needs of the patient. Primary care trusts have the discretion to approve the issue of a second NHS optical voucher although this would only be in exceptional circumstances and based on clinical need. There are no plans to alter the current voucher arrangements.

Secondary information