
1 

(1) These Regulations may be cited as the General Ophthalmic Services (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 and shall come into operation on 1st April 2009.
(2) In these Regulations “the principal Regulations” means the General Ophthalmic Services Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007.
2 
In regulation 2 (interpretation) of the principal Regulations, omit the definitions of “emergency mobile services” and “prompt care”.
3 
In regulation 16 (sight tests – eligibility) of the principal Regulations, in paragraph (2)(g)(ii) for “£15,050” substitute “£15,276”.
4 
In Schedule 1 to the principal Regulations—
(a) omit paragraph 1;
(b) in paragraph 2(a) for “the regulations” substitute “these Regulations”;
(c) after paragraph 4(8) insert the following paragraphs—“
(9) In sub-paragraph (8) “emergency mobile services” means general ophthalmic services provided at a location, other than the contractor’s practice premises, where the contractor has made reasonable arrangements to secure that a patient requiring prompt care will receive such care as soon as appropriately possible.
(10) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (9) a patient requires “prompt care” if in the clinical opinion of the contractor—
(a) the patient’s sight is likely to deteriorate without such care;
(b) the patient is in significant pain by reason of his eye condition; or
(c) the patient may be at serious risk of sustaining a personal injury as a direct result of having an uncorrected refractive error;
and “prompt care” does not necessitate a repair or replacement of an optical appliance unless head (c) applies.”;
(d) in paragraph 13(4) for “the regulations” substitute “these Regulations”.
Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety on 3rd April 2009.
Christine Jendoubi
A senior officer of the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety
Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of Finance and Personnel on 3rd April 2009.
Jack Layberry
A senior officer of the Department of Finance and Personnel
