GlassesSA

In reply to Mr DULUK (Waite) (12 May 2021).

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Planning and Local Government): The Minister for Human Services has provided the following advice:

The GlassesSA scheme helps South Australians obtain low cost glasses, or for those with serious eye conditions, no cost contact lenses.

Eligibility for contact lenses under the program is stricter than for glasses, requiring customers who meet GlassesSA eligibility to also have been diagnosed with a qualifying condition by an ophthalmologist, at one of the three Adelaide public hospitals with which the program partners.

In the metropolitan area, the contact lenses can be prescribed by one of three hospitals. However, in recognition that access to these metropolitan hospitals will be impractical for customers in regional South Australia, GlassesSA has granted country optometrists special provisions to prescribe and dispense contact lenses, in strict accordance with the program's criteria.

As previously advised to the member through correspondence, feedback that some suburban residents may also not find it convenient to travel to these hospitals and would prefer to be able to visit their local optometrist has been noted and his feedback has been provided to GlassesSA for consideration.