College comments on DHSC update to GOS sight test fees and clinical placement payments for 2025/26

“In real terms, the 60p increase in the NHS sight test fee represents a below inflationary increase for primary eye care in England, where many practices are already struggling to deliver NHS services after years of underfunding. This is a deeply disappointing outcome following the long delay for confirmation of GOS1 fees for the current financial year.

“As one of the four pillars of primary care, optometry is central to the government’s shift from hospital to community services as part of its 10 year health plan for England. However, without adequate investment in primary eye care services, we risk England falling further behind the rest of the UK and the shift from secondary to primary care will not be fully realised.

“Failure to invest properly in primary eye care will only lead to increased pressure on hospital eye departments and worsening patient outcomes. The Department of Health and Social Care needs to recognise the value of optometry and provide fair and sustainable funding for these services.”

Clinical placement training payments from 1 April 2025

“We are pleased to have confirmation that NHS England and DHSC have updated the clinical placement training payment for 2025/2026 to include the College’s Clinical Learning in Practice placements as part of the new master’s degrees in optometry at UK universities. This payment will also continue to be available to contractors with all remaining Scheme for Registration trainees until the qualification ceases enrolment.

“However, it is very concerning that the funding for employers has not been increased for 2025/2026 to reflect the increased costs for practices to provide pre-registration clinical experience and supervisors. DHSC must value and support the future workforce if it is to realise the aims of its 10 year health plan."