
1 

(1) These Regulations may be cited as the National Health Service (General Ophthalmic Services) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2025 and come into force on 1 January 2026.
(2) In these Regulations, “the 2006 Regulations” means the National Health Service (General Ophthalmic Services) (Scotland) Regulations 2006.
2 

(1) Regulation 2(1) (interpretation) of the 2006 Regulations is amended as follows.
(2) After the definition of “the Agency” insert—“
 “anterior eye condition” means any one of—
(a) anterior uveitis;
(b) blepharitis;
(c) corneal foreign body;
(d) episcleritis;
(e) herpes simplex keratitis;
(f) herpes zoster ophthalmicus;
(g) infective conjunctivitis;
(h) marginal keratitis;
(i) ocular allergy;
(j) ocular rosacea.”.
(3) After the definition of “sight test” insert—“
 “specialist ophthalmic medical practitioner” has the meaning given in paragraph 14A of schedule 1;
 “specialist optometrist independent prescriber” has the meaning given in paragraph 14A of schedule 1;”.
3 
After paragraph 14(4) (eye examinations) of schedule 1 of the 2006 Regulations insert—“
(4A) Where a patient shows signs of an anterior eye condition, a referral under sub paragraph (4)(i) to another ophthalmic medical practitioner or an optometrist independent prescriber may only be made in circumstances where—
(a) the ophthalmic medical practitioner or optometrist independent prescriber is, as the case may be, a specialist ophthalmic medical practitioner or a specialist optometrist independent prescriber, and
(b) the specialist ophthalmic medical practitioner or specialist optometrist independent prescriber has agreed to accept the referral.
(4B) In making a referral under sub paragraph (4)(i) to a specialist ophthalmic medical practitioner or a specialist optometrist independent prescriber in accordance with sub paragraph (4A), the referring ophthalmic medical practitioner or optician is to take into account the place where the patient normally resides.
(4C) Where, in accordance with sub paragraph (4A), a specialist ophthalmic medical practitioner or specialist optometrist independent prescriber receives a request to accept a referral under sub paragraph 14(4)(i) the specialist ophthalmic medical practitioner or specialist optometrist independent prescriber may agree to accept the referral where they reasonably anticipate that they or another specialist ophthalmic medical practitioner or specialist optometrist independent prescriber providing general ophthalmic services at the same practice premises will be able to carry out any necessary eye examination.”.
4 
After paragraph 14 (eye examinations) of schedule 1 of the 2006 Regulations insert—“
14A 

(1) A Board may enter into an arrangement with an ophthalmic medical practitioner or an optometrist independent prescriber for the provision, in the Board’s area, of general ophthalmic services for specified anterior eye conditions and such an ophthalmic medical practitioner or optometrist independent prescriber, having entered into an arrangement, is referred to in this paragraph as a “specialist ophthalmic medical practitioner” or, as the case may be, “specialist optometrist independent prescriber”.
(2) An arrangement under sub paragraph (1)—
(a) may only be entered into with an ophthalmic medical practitioner or, as the case may be, optometrist independent prescriber who is on the Board’s List, and
(b) is to be on a form supplied by the Agency.
(3) In this paragraph, “specified” means specified in the arrangement referred to in sub paragraph (1).”.
JENNI MINTO
Authorised to sign by the Scottish Ministers
St Andrew's House
Edinburgh
5th November 2025