Fee committee rejects 1 per cent GOS rise

The Optical Fees Negotiating Committee (OFNC) has today rejected a government decision to impose a 1 per cent increase in fees for services provided under the GOS contract.

The negotiating body said it could not accept the offer, but welcomed a 2.5 per cent increase on grants for CET and the training of pre-registration optometrists.

It added that no progress had been made on proposals put forward for funding that would enable proper investment in IT.

Outgoing OFNC chair Claire Slade said:  ‘We all understand the need for tough choices in tough times, no one better than optometrists and opticians. We do this on a daily basis to survive and continue to serve our patients.