A 4.5% increase in general ophthalmic fees (GOS) has been described as a real terms cut to NHS primary eye care by the Optometric Fees Negotiating Committee (OFNC).
The OFNC said it submitted an evidence-based bid for fees and grants but it was disregarded by NHS England, who only offered a below-inflation rate from April 1, 2023.
The 4.5% increase included GOS fees and optometrist pre-registration training grants and there was no increase in continuing professional development grants.
In its evidence, the OFNC said: the NHS was paying 50% of what it costs on average to provide essential health care; the sight test was a vital service and core part of primary care; and primary eye care infrastructures in England were at risk due to chronic NHS underfunding.
Optical sector leads outlined a disparity between a 5% settlement for employed NHS staff groups and the GOS fee at a meeting with Primary Care Minister Neil O’Brien on March 22.
This was rejected on the basis that it was not directly comparable with GOS. However, the OFNC remained hopeful for more constructive engagement in the future.
Gordon Ilett, OFNC chair, said: ‘We held a positive meeting with the Minister about the future of eye care but meanwhile the system continues to undervalue and underpay us.
‘Once again, we have had a lower settlement imposed on us than some others in healthcare despite official figures that show inflation remains high.
‘The Minster is fully aware of the importance of primary eye care for the nation’s health and the key role that our workforce, skills, facilities, and equipment will need to play if the government is to turn around its capacity problems in the hospital eye service, improve access for patients and relieve pressure on GPs.
‘This meeting has opened a new dialogue about the value of the primary eye care sector and we also hope it will allow a better way forward for evidence-based fee discussions with officials in the future.’