Liberal Democrats provide free eye examinations in Scotland as English and Welsh dental contracts look to have disastrous consequences

4.43.25pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 31st Mar 2006

Liberal Democrat action has resulted in free NHS eye examinations will be introduced throughout Scotland from tomorrow (April 1). Not only will all eye examinations now be free, but the testing process is being broadened to provide a health assessment of each patient's whole visual system.

Nicol Stephen, Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats said "The introduction of free eye checks was a key commitment in the Partnership Agreement, and I am delighted that we are delivering such a comprehensive package for patients well ahead of our 2007 target. People throughout Scotland will now be able to access an eye examination which will be more comprehensive than the current eye tests most of us are familiar with - and it will be free of charge for all."

Today is also the final day for dentists in England and Wales to sign a controversial new NHS contract. One in 10 have rejected it and will withdraw from NHS work, while many more have registered objections, a British Dental Association survey suggests. The BDA also said it will create even more barriers to patients receiving treatment on the NHS. Parliamentary questions tabled by the Liberal Democrats have revealed that there has been a 13 per cent drop in adults registered with NHS dentists in England since 1997, while up to half a million children may be de-registered from an NHS dentist.

Sandra Gidley, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson said "NHS dentistry had reached crisis point before these new contracts were imposed. Now the future looks bleak for NHS patients. It appears that this is a half-hearted attempt by the Government to solve the problems of NHS dentistry. The contract focuses on results and targets; not on oral health or patient access to an NHS dentist or orthodontist."