Statement from the College on the Optical Fees Negotiation Committee (OFNC) GOS fees

“The latest communication from NHS England to the OFNC on General Ophthalmic Services (GOS) fees is deeply concerning. This threatens the sustainability of NHS eye care in England, placing an intolerable strain on optical practices, many of which are already struggling to maintain NHS services. This could ultimately exacerbate health inequalities by reducing access to essential eye care, particularly for the most vulnerable patients.

“The College firmly supports the OFNC’s calls for an increase in GOS fees and we’re disappointed that the early indications are that NHS England plans to only uplift the GOS budget in line with current inflation estimates. 

“We strongly back the government’s three key shifts for the NHS in England and a move from secondary to primary eye care services. However, primary eye care services require adequate investment, and this starts with providing adequate funding for the delivery of core sight test services. Without urgent intervention, England risks falling further behind the rest of the UK, where devolved governments have taken a more progressive approach to funding primary care optometry services. Failure to invest properly in primary eye care will only lead to increased pressure on hospital eye departments and worsening patient outcomes.

“We call on NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care to recognise the value of primary eye care and take immediate steps to ensure fair and sustainable funding for these services.”

Professor Irene Ctori, Vice-President, The College of Optometrists