NHS reports rise in examination claims

New figures from the NHS Information Centre on General Ophthalmic Services reveal a rise in sight test claimsin England and Walesin the sixmonths to September 30 2008.

In England, 5.641 million NHS sight test claims were processed. This was an increase of 118,000 (2 per cent). In Wales, 363,000 NHS claims were processed, an increase of 14,000 (4 per cent).

Data by patient eligibility for the assessed period revealed thatpatients over the age of 60 continued to account for the majority of claims -44 per cent of all NHS sight tests in England and 47.1 per cent in Wales.

The lowest numbers of claims were made on behalf of students aged 16-18.This grouping accounted for 4.7 per cent of tests in England and 4 per cent in Wales.