OFNC fumes at ‘derisory’ GOS fee increase

An increase in the General Ophthalmic Services fee of 39p to £23.53 in England has been described as a real-terms cut by the Optometric Fees Negotiating Committee (OFNC).

The OFNC said the Department for Health and Social Care imposed the 1.68% increase despite the clear rejection of the offer by the sector. From April 1, there will also be no increase in the domiciliary visiting fee, nor in the pre-registration training grant, nor in the CPD grant.

Paul Carroll, OFNC chair, said: ‘This derisory increase shows that talk is cheap. Despite effusive praise for the important role that primary eye care plays in meeting the nation’s vision and eye health needs, once again we find ourselves at the back of the NHS queue.