NHS (General Ophthalmic Services) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2025: BRIA
This business and regulatory impact assessment (BRIA) outlines the impact of new regulations enabling independent prescribing optometrists and ophthalmic medical practitioners to manage complex anterior eye conditions in the community. The changes aim to reduce hospital pressures, improve patient access, and support sustainable care.
Section 2: Engagement and information gathering
Engagement approach
The Scottish Government prioritised early and ongoing engagement with a wide range of stakeholders, including OS and Health Boards.
The optometry sector was made aware of GOS-SS via stakeholder communications and in-person and online events.
Looking ahead, the Scottish Government is committed to continuing to undertake a collaborative and consultative approach with regards policy development. This will help ensure that the service remains responsive, sustainable and aligned with broader health system objectives.
Internal SG engagement / engagement with wider Public Sector
Officials within the Scottish Government have undertaken internal engagement across relevant policy areas to ensure the successful development and implementation of GOS-SS. This includes teams responsible for primary care (General Practice and community pharmacy) and planned care (who are responsible for HES policy).
International Trade and Investment Directorate (DITI)
No engagement with DITI has been undertaken for GOS-SS as it does not impact international trade and investment.
UK / Devolved Administrations
Scottish Government officials did not engage with officials in the UK Government or other devolved administrations because health is fully devolved in Scotland.
Wider Public Sector
Scottish Government officials have engaged with NHS Scotland stakeholders, including territorial Health Boards, NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) and NES.
There is no requirement for wider engagement with other parts of the public sector, including local authorities, COSLA, or regulatory bodies or with Scotland’s enterprise agencies.
Business / Third Sector engagement
Business engagement undertaken to date has focused solely on the Scottish community optometry sector. Scottish Government officials, in partnership with NSS and NES, held five in-person events across Scotland in June 2025 and one online event on 2 July 2025. These events targeted optometry practice staff and Health Boards, providing updates on GOS-SS. Additional engagement has continued to be undertaken with OS as the representative body for the optometry sector in Scotland.
GOS-SS will be delivered under the legal framework set under the 2006 Regulations and the Statement, by IP optometrists / OMPs who enter into arrangements with Health Boards for the provision of GOS-SS. As such, this service is provided solely in Scotland and hence consultation with enterprise agencies, cross-sector organisations, or businesses outside Scotland is not required.
Public consultation
There has been no public consultation on the introduction of GOS-SS. This service is being implemented as an extension of existing GOS arrangements, and as such it is considered a service enhancement rather than a policy requiring statutory public consultation under current government guidelines.
Other stakeholders
All relevant stakeholders have been consulted, as outlined above.
Contact
Email: eyecare@gov.scot