NHS Direct is to provide eye care vouchers to all of its 3,300 visual display unit (VDU) users.

Staff will be given one eye-test voucher, redeemable at 95% of optometrists. Should they need glasses, they will also be given further vouchers to pay for their prescriptions.
 
Employers are legally obliged to provide eye tests for VDU users but NHS Direct previously reimbursed staff after eye tests.
 
Louise Campbell, national HR adviser, NHS Direct, said: "We used to reimburse staff for their sight tests but found this caused unnecessary administration, time and financial burden. Because the vouchers are tax and National Insurance-exempt it also helps to cut costs."
 
The scheme will be administered and communicated by Accor Services.