In focus: GOS fee freeze cools the support for NHS provision

Last week’s news that the Department of Health (DoH) is looking to freeze the General Ophthalmic Services (GOS) fees for NHS sight testing for the second year in a row is the latest in a long line of crushing blows delivered by the government.

Ann Blackmore, of the Optometric Fees Negotiating Committee (OFNC), said the committee was still waiting on official notification from the DoH, but Optician understands that there will be no further ammendments and the DoH had in fact informed the OFNC that it wanted to impose a 6% reduction of the fee.

While the OFNC has managed to secure a freeze for the coming financial year, it was expected that more pressure on costs would be applied for the next financial year. Details of other allowances and values are expected soon.