Optometry Scotland was at a hugely transitional stage after securing a fee increase of the Scottish general ophthalmic services (GOS) contract last year, according to chair Julie Mosgrove.
The membership body secured the first fee increase of the Scottish GOS contract since it was introduced in 2006.
Mosgrove told Optician: ‘Last year proved to be a hugely pivotal moment for Optometry Scotland. With the country returning to a sense of normality after two years of disruption to care services brought on by the pandemic, 2022 saw most of us able to find our footing again.
‘Optometry practices were able to steadily bring their patients back up to date with recalls missed, and whereas other care providers were hit by backlogs and large waiting lists, the optical industry in Scotland was largely prepared to meet requirements with capacity ready to meet demand.’
In 2022, Optometry Scotland appointed its first ever director of operations, Elizabeth Docherty, who planned to grow membership and support the association’s goals to ensure the sustainability of eye care in Scotland.
Docherty also formed part of Optometry Scotland’s successful negotiations to secure a 4.5% increase in GOS for 2022/23. It was an aggregate total of 7.6% increase in GOS fees on 2019/20 and was the first fee increase in over a decade.
Mosgrove said: ‘This was a significant step for Optometry Scotland and our industry. As a membership body, we were facing increased pressures from members who were not only struggling with business finances of the former payment model, but also feeling undervalued by the government, especially when looking at other health professionals who were frequently receiving increases following reviews. For me, the argument was simple; the costs are increasing year-on-year with a service that is doing more and more, so why is the fee not moving?’
Mosgrove added that Optometry Scotland established a formal process for annual remuneration reviews, aligned to that of dentists for the interim period while it explored its own model. She said the sustainable funding model would act as a safeguard for fees and enhance the future of community optometry.
‘Optometry Scotland is now engaging with members and other industry bodies to understand and help shape its future financial model. Currently aligned to the same financial model as dentistry, the organisation body is looking to better understand its members wants and needs, before establishing a fee that recognises this within the next two years,’ she said.
Economic pressures
As Mosgrove started her second term as chair of Optometry Scotland, she said there was lots to look forward to, such as the continued implementation of an optometry fee model, but was aware optical practices were not exempt from current challenges.
‘There are economic pressures with the cost of living crisis hitting everyone hard and the likely knock-on effect this will have for eyewear retailers. With practices based on the high street, we are facing the same pressures as your favourite shops. The cost, rent and rates are going up and just like everyone else, this also means electricity bills and heating bills.
‘Staff costs are also on the up, for example with the National Living Wage changing. That has an impact on practices too. Likewise, there is patient spending. The good thing is that with a universal eye examination in Scotland, everyone can still come in for their eye health check and it’s imperative people don’t put that off if they are concerned about finances.
‘Not shying away from the financial pressures still being faced by optometrists, we’re also continuing our conversations as part of a Primary Eyecare Services Expert Working Group, discussing how we can continue to support and enhance eye care in Scotland,’ she said.
Mosgrove highlighted that technology was at the forefront of this and optical coherence tomography was a prime example of the cutting-edge equipment that was having a big impact on healthcare.
‘Some practices are opting to offer enhanced digital imaging as an additional private charge. We hope to open this up as part of a universal charge, ensuring that everyone, whatever their economic background, can receive this type of treatment, which in some cases can be lifesaving.
‘The referral refinement of this ability would in turn help ease existing pressure on hospitals, by being able to accurately refer patients to the right department, while providing more information and establish whether a referral was needed at all,’ Mosgrove added.