To ask the Minister of Health to detail (i) how much opticians are permitted to charge for the Northern Ireland Primary Eyecare Assessment and Referral Service; and (ii) whether he is monitoring the charges.

NI PEARS is an HSC funded clinical assessment service provided to eligible patients which remunerates optometry contractors for the clinical assessment and management of a patient presenting with a new and acute eye problem such as red eye, sudden visual loss, etc. For eligible patients there is no charge to the patient for the NI PEARS clinical assessment.

Eligible patients may receive one NI PEARS assessment and, where clinically necessary/indicated, one follow-up NI PEARS assessment for a new ophthalmic clinical condition once per year.

Some patients accessing NI PEARS will be advised, in line with clinical management guidelines, to use ophthalmic medications and treatments to manage their eye condition. This recommended treatment(s) may incur a cost to the patient. Where a treatment is available to purchase as an ‘over the counter’ item this is recommended in line with current HSC guidelines.

NI PEARS service activity levels and associated costs are monitored on a monthly basis by the Directorate of Primary Care, SPPG.