Fees strategy may need a rethink

Is it time for the profession to have a rethink about its expectations on what the government is prepared to pay optometry for and the way it fights for funds?

At the beginning of April there will be a 1 per cent increase in General Ophthalmic Service fees (see news), adding just under 21p to the sight test fee. This is good news. Recent years have a seen a freeze on payments for the provision of NHS eye services and products in optical practices. Despite expensive time and effort being put in to the discussions by the Optical Fees Review Committee and negotiators from the Department of Health.