The National Health Service (Help with Health Costs) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2025

These Regulations amend the National Health Service (Charges for Drugs and Appliances) Regulations 2015 (“the Prescription Charges Regulations”), which include the charges that are payable for the supply of NHS drugs and appliances in England. They also amend the Primary Ophthalmic Services Regulations 2008 (“the POS Regulations”), which make provision for who is entitled to free NHS sight tests under the National Health Service Act 2006, and the National Health Service (Optical Charges and Payments) Regulations 2013 (“the Optical Charges Regulations”), which provide help by means of a voucher system for certain eligible groups for the supply, replacement and repair of optical appliances. They also amend the National Health Service (Travel Expenses and Remission of Charges) Regulations 2003 (“the TERC Regulations”), which provide, directly and indirectly, for people in England who are in receipt of certain benefits or on low incomes both to be reimbursed for certain travel expenses incurred in obtaining NHS care and to be exempt from paying NHS prescription and dental charges. For present purposes, the relevant arrangements for help with health costs provided for by the TERC Regulations, the POS Regulations and the Optical Charges Regulations are known as the NHS Low Income Scheme.