Nhs funding

[Anne Klepacz]

Just to clarify the situation at this hospital for any other forum users - the optometrist who was providing the contact lens service has left, but a new optometrist will be appointed in the near future and contact lenses will continue to be prescribed at NHS rates.

[brian-ire]

Excellent news.

[Has]

If you have heard correctly, this is very different to what has been the situation in hospital eye clinics up to now. Anyone with a clinical need for contact lenses (which is most people with KC) has been able to get their lenses and all eye tests at the NHS rate which is around £54 per lens and no charge for any eye tests. The payment covers any changes in prescription for a 12 month period and applies whatever the type of lens prescribed.
What has changed in England since April is that rather than Primary Care Trusts being responsible for commissioning contact lens provision in hospitals, this is now down to the new Clinical Commissioning Groups for each area. Scleral lenses (though I don't know what 'soft' sclerals are?) are being treated differently - they now come under 'specialist services' and are commissioned for the whole of England by NHS England. How this will work in practice I have no idea!
If anybody else has now been told that the NHS can no longer supply lenses at the previous rates, please let us know. And we'd love to hear from any optoms who know more.
Anne

[Has]

Hi

I am wondering is anyone can help me urgently

I have keratoconus and the hospital doesn't have anyone that can deal with me so I was reffered to Specsavers as there is no one else available

My type of lens has changed from hybrid to scleral and this change has been within the year

From what I know, I am excempt from charges if there is a change to prescription/type of lens whlithin a yeathe hospital has not really helped wlme with this

Can you provide some links to websites or documents so I can prove to them I am correct

Many thanks

[Lia Williams]

Hi Has,

I believe that hybrid lenses should be replaced after six months. So if you had continued with hybrid lenses you would be paying for four lenses each year. The current charge per lens is £57. Moorfields FAQs does infer this as it refers to the charge relating to six month's supply of lenses.
So if it was six months since you had your hybrid lenses you probably would be expected to pay again.


https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/help-w ... nd-lenses/

Voucher J: £57.00
A voucher for contact lenses following a prescription issued by an NHS trust or NHS foundation trust.

https://www.moorfields.nhs.uk/faq/conta ... -questions

The payment is for one standard replacement contact lens (or where appropriate, six months supply of daily or monthly disposable lenses)
If lenses are to be posted, there is a charge for all patients.


Lia