Relaxation of evidence requirements for help with NHS costs during the COVID-19 pandemic

New statutory instrument

New regulations have been issued in relation to the relaxation of evidence requirements for help with NHS costs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The new regulations, the National Health Service (Coronavirus) (Charges and Further Amendments Relating to the Provision of Primary Care Services During a Pandemic etc.) Regulations 2020 (SI.No.885/2020) provide for the Secretary of State to be able, in a pandemic situation, to waive or modify requirements in respect of forms and providing evidence, for example in relation to the requirement on a person paying an NHS charge to sign a declaration that they have done so, and a requirement on a person claiming certain exemptions from paying a charge to complete a declaration of entitlement to the exemption.

The new regulations were laid before Parliament on 21 August 2020, and come into force on the twenty-first day after the day on which they were laid.

SI.No.885/2020 is available from legislation.gov.uk