GOS voucher values to be frozen for 2025/26

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has confirmed that Ministers have decided to freeze all NHS optical voucher values for 2025/26.

Each year, the DHSC independently sets optical voucher values without consultation with the sector, along with dental charges and prescription charges for the coming year.

Paul Carroll, chair of the Optometric Fees Negotiating Committee (OFNC), said: ‘This is a further squeeze on primary eye care, this time on patients. Contractors will continue to do all they can to support patients but it is a false economy which will impact most on children and vulnerable adults and lead over time to more NHS repairs and replacements.’