Hospital-run practices must not offer GOS

Hospital-run optometry practices in England can no longer offer NHS sight tests because the new GOS contract, which came into force on August 1 2008, states that primary care providers are not allowed to contract with secondary care providers.

When contacted by Optician, a Department of Health (DoH) spokesperson confirmed: 'Ophthalmic services needed by hospital patients are the responsibility of the provider NHS trust and should be locally commissioned and paid for by that hospital trust and not through the GOS.

'It would be inappropriate for patients to be directed to attend a specific GOS practice unless the hospital eye service has a contractual arrangement to pay for the service provided.'